FC Irlande Vets 1

First match of the second half of the season, we are in Belgium, it’s raining and cold… But in vet we love challenges, and what could be better than a match with no jerseys, forgotten in a washing machine, between two diaper changes and three milk bottles… Saint Nicholas, being a father, welcome to Abssa Vet on Saint Nicholas Day, and on International Vets Happy Hour Day 1… Thanks to the 3ths team who play just before us and gave us their jersey ( wet, dirty but from winner), next Week beers is for me, tell me which taste of laundry on your kit …
Fortunately, everyone showed up, and it was with 15 players that the Irish traveled to Gast, reigning champions, and their former pro players… Thanks to Gregor and John for helping Vets 2… Depending on the various minor injuries, the starting 11 is as follows: François, David Rubio, Tibor, Fernando, Armands, Mathias G, Mathias N, Gonçalo (cap), Clement, Rafa C, Rodrigo… with a big Bench Pierre Antoine, David Garcia, Musti and Ale who is searching the kit still (Don’t worries we love you )…
The match started, but GAst immediately struggled to play his game, mainly because of the intensity of the pressing from the green team’s midfield. Both Mathias really choked their midfield to let our wingers launch clear attacks. Possession is Irish, the aggressiveness is Irish, and so are the chances… A reference match where the wingers cut inside to shift the opposite winger, or our center forward drops back to move his attacking midfielder: a delight between Clément, Rodrigo, Rafa, and Gonçalo… It’s rare to see such intensity in the match from our team, and all 11 players are performing at a high level. Unfortunately, as often happens, the slightest mistake costs us dearly, and during an intervention by one of our defenders, a penalty is called, Panenka from their captain, and 1-0 for Gast. But the Irish are hungry today, and 5 minutes later the same guilty defender, Fernando aka I make a foul but in good spirits, heads in a superb corner from Rafa for the equalizer. Despite some attempts, including a fantastic run from Rafa that ends on the post, the score at halftime is 1-1. No changes for us at halftime, but the great Cedric Fauré comes onto the field for Gast, adding a bit more pressure on our defense.
And unfortunately the second rule at Vets 1 was applied very quickly in the second half regarding the injury: this time it’s Fernando, the scorer, who felt a pain and had to come off for Alé, hot as fire, unlike their jerseys. A second match had begun.
A defensive, tough, old-school match… Of course, Gast pushed, but defense took over with Alé and Tibor being imperial in the center, and Ramands and David, unfortunately taken out after several hits for Pierre Antoine. Our midfield continued its mission of destruction, and during a big pressure sequence, Mathias Ginest gets the ball and delivers a beautifully curved left-footed shot, leaving the opposing goalie with no reaction. 2-1. A free kick from Mathias Neelen perfectly placed in the top corner was saved by their keeper, and raids from Clement and Rafa left their defense dizzy…
Last 15 mn with ours last changes with Musti, our captain back from long injuries , and David Garcia our captain back from short injuries …. what a bench , no ? Gast’s frustration, Alé’s old-school heroic individual defense on Fauré, and Tibor on their second attacker… and a superb move to score the third goal on a breakthrough by Musti to launch Clement one-on-one with the goalkeeper and subtly set up David for the third goal…
Fantastic result for vets 1 : 3-1 versus Gast after a draw versus Brasilian team … Incredible squad with an amazing spirit when they want … MOTM Mathias Gineste

The Vets 1 team today had a match against the Brazilians from ABSSA with an amazing squad. After two disappointing games in terms of content or points, no less than 15 players lined up to challenge a top team in the league. Result 1-1 with a lucky goal for them. No game summary, no analysis today. Some will say a lack of creativity, others will say laziness… not wrong… The privilege of the guy writing the summary.

There was no Samba in Nosseghem as Vets 1 came back to draw 1-1 against Auderghem RU

It was a fighting game against very complete technical & fisical excellent team ! Amazing Bravo for our defense ! And the sub have been amazing and immediately came in the hard rythm ! Congrats to all

Thank you all, it was a fantastic team performance. It shows to ourselves what we can do once we are focused on structure and fighting!

Very good and hard work defensively today, well done lads! And our killer today didn’t missed his only clear chance!
and forgot to mention that we also had Saint François (Branchu) on our side. Great saves that the Cristo do Corcovado would be proud of!

Indeed, it was a challenging game today. The Samba team are excellent with the ball, maybe not so good without it, but we were not able to explore that as much during the game (particularly in the second half). At the end of the day, what paid off today was the team spirit (all 15), everyone allways giving a bit more to help or running a bit extra to cover a teammate. That also made the difference; we played cohesively, the pieces were positioned where they should have been, and we took our chance.
Let us keep up the spirit and make the most of it during the games, no matter how difficult they might be.

The 15 players today : Clement, Ale, Fernando, Pierre Antoine, Rafa Crem, Rodriogo, Mathias, Tibor, Johno, David G, Gonçalo ( capitain) , François, Armands , Sigve ( the goat), John …. coached by Gregorio and Musti …. no subs today …

Motm Fernando aka Ramos today …. a fault ? but always with smile

vets 1 played today Metrasport , the famous Congolese team but not in their playground of Atomium, a luck for us … The match was very intense with a big pressare of boys in green , since 3 matchs we played with in renforced middlfield and with the help of Sylvain today we control mostly all of first half … Unfortunatly as usual we lost a player after 20 mn in game , Fernado injured , Rodrigo came in and Johno took place in defense. Except several rush from Tibor, our defense was not improve and our winger Pierre Antoine and Armand can help the middlefield to control more the team . A nice shot from Gonçalo in first half and a lob from Manu , offside apparently,, and some nice move but without shots and we finish the first half 0-0 … We start the second part on the same level with the instruction of more shots : some tries from Rafa Cremades , Manu , Rodrigo …. We pushed more and more but on a strange moment and a fault not wisthled , their striker scored a one vs one …. With 15m of game, we pushed more and Sylvain equalized quickly on a longe shot , we had several opportunities after but no more goals … FT 1-1 a good point again … MOTM Sylvain

Vets 1 played today Écusson, a promoted team we face last year in abssa cup. During this opposition their striker, apparently a former 2nd division, scored three times so we were aware of his qualities. Prior to the game, the captains had to deal with a lot of unavailabilities. Fortunately, vets 2 helped us with Joris and Slava reinforcing us and Manu who was uncertain this week eventually joined us. First half was a bit at our advantage, we managed to get the balls high on their half and the best opportunity came from Manu but his was brilliantly deflected by Ecusson keeper. Ecusson were at times dangerous except for a couple times, their infamous striker with number 10 was well contained. 2nd half started with Ecusson sending in a new winger who caused more difficulties for our defence. It was also annoying as the winger who got substituted found nothing more inspiring than to play from the visitor locker some cheap dance music on a big volume proving once more football have absolutely no taste in music (Steven Gerrard precedent). Anyway, after a rough start in second half, the game got even and both teams had serious opportunities to score but it turned out none of them would. On one hand, Ecusson keeper blocked or deflected some attempts. On the other side, François just watched some shoots going off target while their forwards were in good position. After 70mn the referee ended a goaless game. Man of the match Karl

As usual a beautifull day at Rosieres with 4 matchs versus Brits … Vets 1 closed the day for the oldest derby of the day and irish boys propose a beautifull squad for this match with the help of Sylvain from 1st team … A first half dominated by boys in green with a lot of intensity and a strong midfield Mathias and Goncalo for protect Sylvain … A lot of nice move for the winger Clem and David G. but no goals … And in this case we are always punish by an fast attack from brits : goal and Johno injuries …. First change of the match Johno for Gregor , and Tibor went on central defense … 5mn after we lost Matt on injuries and Emmanuel went on the pitch …. HT … 1 goal down , two injuries …. Second start on the same way irish boys attacked , produce some nice moves , but again a fast attack, one shot then a second and goal … 2-0 … not fair but it’s football …  FC irland lauch all in attack : with a nice move on the right between David and Clem for invit Brits to dance tango , and a nice assist for Emmanuel 2-1 …. 1àmn affter , nice poistion for free kick , Sylvain took it, the keeper push it on the feet of Goncalo for the second goal …. We pushed for take the lead but no more goals , FT 2-2 . A lot of players nominated for the MOTM but one winner Sylvain , thanks for your behaviour

Vets 1 had a strong squad facing top of the table ITT something or other. Started well but conceded a soft goal, conceded another from some great play, everyone thought they are one of the best teams ever seen in 6A, comprising of ex Mutuelle & other teams players including an unbelievable guy on the wing wearing 39. Got a nice goal back through Matt with a lovely finish after great work from David. 1-5 at HT & it remained that way until conceding 2 goals when pushing late on. Motm Mathias but I thought it was a very encouraging performance against a quality team. Cut out the little mistakes & it would have been much closer.

Vets 1 played Ambiance Auderghem today. For this game, it was decided to play with a midfield shaped like a diamond to bring density, putting pressure on our opponent. We struggled to create opportunities during the game. We had actually one serious occasion on 1st half and another on 2nd half. Clément after a slalom shot from the left edge of the box but for a few inches didn’t find his target. Rafa found on a free kick the target but his attempt was denied by the goalkeeper with a great save. Captain François also made some great saves, stopping one penalty kick on 2nd half. However on 1st half, after one good deflection, he couldn’t do anything as Ambiance playmaker was there to shoot the ball deflected into the net. No other goals was scored in spite of our effort. A tight game but eventually a loss. MOTM François

Lost 3-1, we didn’t really start playing until the 20′ by which time we were losing 3-0. Slow start, lacking intensity and some basic mistakes.
We then had three good chances before the break but failed to convert.
In the second half we were largely superior and Clement pulled one back.
Then an outrageous tackle by their goalkeeper that could have broken Clem’s legs didn’t even get a yellow.
The game turned ugly with too many interruptions, tackles, insults and bad decisions by the referee.
Very frustrating day at the office, a red card for Mathias from the bench and a relapse for Rafa on his injury.
Let’s get ready for next week and try to secure some points against Auderghem

Vets 1 played this afternoon against British United. It took us some time to get into the game and our opponent took the lead. Progressively we gained possession. No clear chances but there were some good combinations and one of them, we obtained a free kick converted by none other that David Martin Garcia. 3rd free kick in a row converted by DMG in two weeks. 1-1 at the end of 1st half.
On 2nd half the substitutions made a lot of difference and it is definitely something that we will rely on this season. We took the lead thanks to captain Musti after a good assist from Clément. British with the wind pushed a bit but we maintained some composure and Goncalo, David, Mathias and Rafa Cremades made a good use of the ball in the midfield. The latter will add a third goal after a good curved shot from the right with his left foot. We remained solid til the end of the game and earned 3 desserved points. MOTM el unico David Martin Garcia.