Los Franginos

The 2nds were facing Los Franginos today in Nossegem, and the game started with high intensity but mostly from the other side. Struggling to put their foot on the ball, the boys in green quickly conceded a goal from their fast strikers who managed to face Ahmet in a couple of passes. Just few minutes later Lolo equalised with one of his secret long shots from out of the box (some say it was slightly deflected). Without any control of the ball, Ireland mostly counted on counter attacks or uncoordinated high pressure which actually paid off when the keeper under pressure gave the ball straight to Benji who had the perfect shot from 30m to beat him.
That’s when their number 9 show started. Their striker, a guy with the body and presence of Sean Gibson and the technic and speed of Joao. First with a solo raid, unopposed he entered the box and shot to crucify Ahmet, then 2min later he was the quickest for the rebound after a free kick on target.
At half time not much had to be said except to reflect on our overall performance. Only few minutes in the second half, that number 9 cyborg had the perfect curled ball from 18m with his wrong foot, straight in the top bin. That left everybody baffled, making it 2-4. It was only a matter of minutes before they got awarded a debatable penalty to get their 5th goal.
The Ireland team only started to play some sort of football in the last minutes after Victor as striker and Joao as 10 came in. Not enough to score any goal.
And not a lot to remember from this day, except a humbling lesson and the willingness to show some pride next weekend.
MOTM: Benji