FC Irlande Ladies 3

It’s 7 pm on a Friday night, and FC Irlande Ladies III pulls into Grez-Doiceau for the third game of the season. It’s dark and rainy, and the players are tired after a long work week and a 40-minute drive. Still, the mood is good, and the facilities are among the best we’ve seen (we agree that the changing rooms have “sauna vibes”).

At 8h30 pm, FCI kicks off the tumultuous first half. The teams seem evenly matched. Nevertheless, at minute 15, Grez-Doiceau scores. Denis reminds the team not to be discouraged, and sure enough, at minute 25, Zoe, assisted by El, equalises, followed by another goal by El at minute 31, who converts a great cross by Isabel into a goal. Nevertheless, the opponent is not to be underestimated and scores shortly thereafter. FCI’s lead is finally reestablished at minute 44, by Lea, who transforms the chaos of several successive corners into a goal. 

The second half is tough. The atmosphere is heated as Grez-Doiceau gives it their all, trying to regain the lead. But FCI is strong, communicates, passes the ball forward and does not let the opponent score. Throughout the match, Ana intercepts numerous goal attempts. After 90 minutes, the game ends 3-2 for FCI.

This continues what we saw in the last match: establishing a lead in the first half and defending the lead in the second half. To celebrate, the team has beers at the buvette. By the time the happy players arrive home (thank you to the drivers!), it is way past midnight. 

Player of the match: El, followed closely by Alex and Ana, and many other strong performances.

After the rough start of the season, FCI Ladies 3 were full of motivation to search for a better game and a better result. The theme of the day, as highlighted by our coach Slim, was space – moving without the ball to create it and scanning the surroundings before receiving the ball. And while on it, we wouldn’t mind also scoring a few goals.

It is a rainy Sunday morning in Walhain when the teams enter the pitch. Our public also includes a few horses peacefully grazing in their pasture right next to the pitch. The first beats of the match set the tone of the game: the two teams seem very equally matched, both creating some scoring opportunities straight away while battling for the control of the midfield. The bumpy grass pitch brings its own element into the game, making it dangerous for players’ ankles (get well soon, Roxanne!) and meaning that any stray ball towards the goal might take a weird bump and go in.

After about 30 minutes of play, FCI finds great combinations in midfield, creating enough space for Anna to make a run for the ball at the edge of the box. While battling for the ball, it hits the hand of a Walhain player and a free kick is granted. What follows goes down to the Ladies 3 Hall of Fame: a beautiful free kick by El drops right in the upper-right corner of the goal, allowing FCI to take the 0-1 lead and opening our scoring this season.

However, it does not take Walhain long to equalise in the same manner: a free kick is given and shot right to the goal, where the bounce surprises FCI and makes the score 1-1.

The game continues with the same intensity, with FCI pressuring high. A risky pass from a Walhain defender ends up giving Eliana a clear scoring chance, and she’s ruthlessly taken down by the opposition. Standing on the penalty spot is Gabi, who – ever so coolly, with nerves of steel – puts the ball in the corner of the goal for 1-2 just a few minutes before half-time.

The second half is a long battle to hold the lead. Walhain pushes hard for an equaliser, but FCI holds the lead and clears dangerous balls with strong performances all across the defence. And it is not only content to defend but also searches for its third goal. The clearest attempts are from Sandra, skilfully found in the penalty area by El, whose shot is deflected into a corner by the goalie and  Amina, whose shot just goes wide of the post. As neither team is able to score in the second half, the end result remains 1-2 for FCI.

It was an intense game, but we go home with a well-deserved three points. Walhain gave it their all and made it a great game, but in the end it was FCI that managed to stay more disciplined and fought until the very last minute. What a way to start the away games of this season!

Player of the match: El

Following a nearly five-month break, FC Irlande Ladies III returns to home ground in Auderghem to kick-start what promises to be an exciting yet challenging season, which will bring us to the remotest corners of Wallonia. ROS Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve served as the first opponent, a team reflecting the potential high level of this year’s league.

FCI starts the match in possession of the ball. However, right from the beginning, ROS takes control of the game and opens the scoring after 8’. FCI does not get demoralised by this early goal and tries to stay in the match and find attacking solutions. FCI manages to shoot a few times, but none of the shots worries the goalkeeper. At 39’, ROS scores the second goal with a skilfully executed free kick. The first half ends with the result of 0-2.

The second half follows the same script as the first: with ROS maintaining control of the game while FCI defends to control the attacking pressure. 15’ in the second half, ROS finds the back of the net for the third. As FCI struggles to contain the sustained attacks, ROS scores the fourth and fifth goals in two minutes. In the second half, FCI’s attacking phase is not fruitful, with their best attempts coming from a free-kick and a corner. At the final whistle, the result is 0-5. 

The result is for sure disappointing and not how we wanted to start the season. Now we need to use this first match as an opportunity to learn and motivate ourselves to keep working and improve. The match also opened our eyes to the level of the other teams in the league, but we are ready and determined to fight and give everything in every match. 

Player of the match: Karissa