RAS Jodoigne B

On Sunday, 30 March, FC Irlande Ladies III welcomes RAS Jodoigne for the last home match of the season. Already the pre-match is greatly eventful: changes in defense, bleeding noses, attempts of socks stealing caught on camera and tests on the reliability of Schuman metro station.

FCI starts the match with an unusual formation, a 3-4-2-1. This formation works well, especially in the offensive phase and already, during the first half, FCI has different opportunities to score. The first chance to score comes from Roxanne, who finds the right space to penetrate Jodoigne’s defensive line and, almost in front of the goalie, decides, instead of taking a shot, to pass to Viktorija. But the ball is intercepted by Jodoigne’s defence. Despite the good team performance, a moment of distraction leads to Jodoigne’s opening goal at 26’. FCI does not lose its heart and stays focused and determined to keep playing its game. On the left, Meryl and Sophie create great combinations together that open up the field for FCI’s attacking incursions. At the end of the first half, FCI has an excellent opportunity to equalise: Eliana passes the ball to Viktorija, who wide on the right wing, receives the ball, and, with a great pass, finds Meryl in the penalty box, whose shot is blocked. The first half ends 0-1.

FCI starts the second half with the awareness that the smell of a goal is in the air. At 65’, Meryl receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area, controls it and finds the space for a magnificent shot and beats the goalkeeper. FCI is not fully satisfied with the draw and tries to obtain the first win of the season. For FCI, the clearest chance to score comes from a corner: the cross, delivered by Meryl, gets past the goalie, but none of the FCI players put the decisive touch to score. At 85’, the cold shower arrives. Jodoigne’s striker steals the ball on the edge of the penalty area, shoots and scores the winning goal. The match ends 1-2.

Although, in these last matches, the team has been experimenting with formations and positions, it has constantly delivered great performances and gave a hard time to all the opponents faced. The last performances also give hope and a good foundation for next season with players open to listen to new instructions and play in new roles.

Player of the match: Meryl

Early Sunday morning trip to the wuthering Jodoigne for FC Irlande Ladies III to face the third team in the ranking, R.A.S. Jodoigne.

FCI takes control of the match since the starting whistle. The first opportunity to score arrives quite soon for the ladies in green with Clémence who, from inside the penalty area, finds the space for a shot that is, however, stopped by the opponent’s goalie. Throughout the first half, FCI creates several goal-scoring opportunities. Long passes find the space between Jodoigne’s goalie and defence putting FCI’s strikers in favourable conditions to score. Not-perfect timing and coldness in the attacking phase and in front of the goal allow Jodoigne to recover and block these attacking actions. By the end of the first half, FCI has two other opportunities to score: the first with Marianne who attempts a long-range shot and the second with Clémence who, this time, tries to score with a shot from the edge of the box. Despite the effort of FCI, the first half ends 0-0.

In the second half, the wind turns. Jodoigne enters the match with intensity and determination pressuring FCI. Thanks to their ball circulation and skills, Jodoigne scores the opening goal. A cross coming from FCI’s left side finds the rapacious touch of Jodoigne’s striker who anticipates any defensive intervention. The wind and Jodoigne’s renovated effort obstacle FCI’s attacking manoeuvre. Roxanne tries a shot but from a too-defiladed position to worry the goalkeeper. The match ends 1-0.

Despite giving 100% in all our matches and always fighting to bring home the result, considering the position of Jodoigne in the ranking, it was not really realistic to think of winning this match. So, in the end, we should not be so disappointed about the final result and should be encouraged by the team’s excellent performance. But, for the way the result arrived, it is hard not to be. As against Saint-Michel, we defended well and created several opportunities to score (more than our opponents) but we could not capitalise on those opportunities. Now we need commitment, focus and intensity during the training to find the missing piece.

Player(s) of the match: Marianne and Marina