RAS Jodoigne B

After the victory of FC Moreda against RCS Nivellois, FCI knows that there is only one acceptable result: victory. The game is not an easy one; Jodoigne is placed seventh in the league, and the result of the previous match we played against them is not comforting. By this point, we’ve all learnt the league table by heart and know how crucial this match is.

Jodoigne starts the match, and from the first passes, the quality of their players is clear. FCI answers with compactness and focus, closing space in defence, putting pressure on the midfield and preventing them from shooting from outside the box. In the attacking phase, FCI creates as many scoring opportunities as they have never done before. Well-taken corners, through balls and endless runs put FCI players multiple times in front of the door. The two clearest occasions are on Lisa’s feet, with one of the shots hitting the post and the other finishing over the crossbar. In the last action of the first half, FCI finds the lead thanks to Cath’s goal, which is amazingly assisted by Beaty.

Starting the second half with the result of 1-0, FCI maintains the focus and does not suffer the offensive of Jodoigne, determined to equalise the score but failing. Instead, FCI keeps attacking and creating scoring chances. Ilana, just entering the pitch, wants to give everything she has and fights on every ball, resulting in providing a pass that finds Adina in the right position to score. With still 20 minutes to go, Jodoigne does not give up the fight and tries to score the goal that would open the match. And they do… at the 90’. As FCI starts the match again, after the goal scored by Jodoigne, the referee whistles three times, and the game is over with the result of 2-1.

Who could have thought that the most exciting match of the week was not Real Madrid-Manchester City? We had to win, and we won. We wanted so much that we made it look almost simple. Despite the incredible victory, we are not safe, and the relegation battle is still ongoing. The match against White Star will be our last Hercules labour.

What a match, porca miseria!

Player of the match: Cath

It was an early wake-up for FCI that travelled to Wallonia to face Jodoigne. After the infamous match against Moreda, we were looking forward to playing some nice football and enjoying the game while, of course, trying to make the best out of it.

The match is very even from the start, with FCI creating some dangerous situations in the attack: in the first minutes, Dilara breaks free and manages to take a shot, but the ball goes wide. FCI puts their hearts, heads and even their faces in the game, as Bea proves in the early minutes by stopping a powerful shot at the edge of a box with her face. After the initial shock, it luckily turns out that beyond some blood and bruising, the injury doesn’t seem too severe. Nevertheless, she needs to leave the pitch, and FCI has to regroup to adjust to the situation. The game continues with chances at both ends and FCI plays well as a compact unit and does not allow the opposition too many clear chances. Yet some bad luck and other events lead to Jodoigne scoring just before the end of the first half. The first half then finishes 1-0.

With just one substitution left, FCI starts the second half aiming to come back into the game. However, this does not happen as Jodoigne manages to score three more goals in a relatively short period of time. The last one is a penalty, which is too powerful and precise for Cliona to stop. Despite it, FCI pushes on and manages to create more scoring occasions, especially towards the end of the match, but still none go in. The match ends 4-0 for Jodoigne.

While the result is obviously not what we hoped for, it was a good game to play on a nice sunny Sunday morning. And we could most definitely notice how much of a difference a proper, good referee can make by keeping the game fair and under control (he managed to sound kind enough even when requesting Bea “not to bleed on the ball”). Plus, we got some sandwiches and hot chocolate at the warm and cozy buvette. Now the gazes are very much already turned towards next weekend already when it’s time for a revanche against Moreda.

Player of the Match: Beaty