RCS Brainois B

On Sunday, 12 April, FC Irlande Ladies III faces RCS Brainois in the last match of the season. 

Brainois starts the match with ball possession and immediately tries to breach FCI’s defence with a long ball. FCI recovers the ball and takes control of the game. Just five minutes in, Marina, assisted by Sophie, opens the scoring. FCI goes close to double the lead on multiple occasions, but the ball does not want to go in. But at 32’, El scores what probably deserves the award as the most stunning goal of the season, a spectacular bicycle kick that takes everyone by surprise, especially Brainois’ goalie. It takes five other minutes for FCI to score their third goal of the match: from a throw-in, Maz reaches Zoe, who controls the ball, turns and fires it into the net. A few minutes later, the most dramatic moment of the match arrives. Sophie, after attempting to arrive at the ball, collapses on the ground due to a knee injury and is forced to leave the pitch in an ambulance, receiving a guard of honour from the opponent. As soon as the match restarts, FCI scores again, with Marina netting her second goal, assisted this time by Zoe. This fourth goal closes the first half with a commanding 4-0 lead for FCI.

In the second half, FCI keeps dominating the match, but it does not convert this dominance into more goals. While Brainois is not able to worry FCI with their attacking actions. Despite this, Brainois scores a consolation goal that put the final score at 4-1. 

First of all, smooth recovery to Sophie, hoping she will be back with us really soon. We close the last part of the season with a 5-game unbeaten run and great team performances that showed the technical and mental strength of the team. It was a season different from the previous ones in which we could play, score, and chant so many shalalalas.

Under the watchful eye of the Waterloo Lion, FC Irlande Ladies III faced RCS Brainois in a match shaping up to be tight and engaging. 

Brainois starts the match in possession of the ball and reveals from the first actions its trump card: long balls to cut FCI’s midfield and defence, putting Brainois’ strikers in front of the goalie. However, FCI’s defence is constantly vigilant and prevents any major danger posed by this threat. In attack, FCI understands that Brainois’ defence is prone to mistakes under pressure, and as the minutes pass by, the team gets closer and closer to the goal. At 37’, Roxanne delivers a corner kick into the penalty area; at first, Brainois seems to clear the ball, but Gabi, turning her back to the goal, plays it back into the mix. The ball arrives at Clémence, who kicks it. The goalie initially catches the ball, but it slips from her grasp while Marina is there, lurking and ready to put the ball in the net. Brainois comes close to scoring the equaliser from a free-kick from the edge of the box, but Ana stops the shot. The first half ends 1-0 in favour of FCI. 

More rain and wind welcome the teams for the second half. Despite a good first half, FCI is aware that the match is still open, and Brainois will fight for a comeback. FCI gives the kick-off for the second half, but Brainois fields the ball and tries another unsuccessful long ball to break through FCI’s defence. Ten minutes into the second half, FCI is awarded a penalty. El steps up to take the shot, but the goalie neutralises it. Her moment of glory is short-lived: putting the ball back into play with her hands, she is not precise, and the ball ends up on Eli’s feet, who instinctively kicks it and scores a Puskas award-winning goal. 2-0 down, Brainois does not give up and becomes more aggressive and intense in the effort to get back into the game. FCI keeps it together and stops Brainois from creating any goal-scoring opportunities. FCI also has a chance to score the third goal with Marina, but her shot is deflected out for a corner. At the final whistle, the scoreboard says Brainois 0 – FCI 2. 

Not an easy game on paper, but the reality showed that winning was within our reach because everyone on the pitch knew what to do and did it excellently.