FC Irlande Vets 2

Match report from Vets 2:
First and foremost big thanks to Nico for being referee and Jeff as Delegue !!
Vets 2 were up against the unpredictable Karia at home. We lost the toss and started uphill against the wind, which clearly screwed up our master plan. Despite a few good chances in the first half, we went into half time 0-2 down. 3 changes and second half promised more but they got a gifted 3rd before too long. We finally started playing and putting pressure high up pinning Karia into their own half. Goals from Alan and straight from a corner from Rafa started the comeback, but we couldn’t find the equaliser despite our best efforts. Everyone put the effort in but it wasn’t our day. Result of 2-3 left us mulling over what could’ve been, until Damo arrived with the first round in the changing room. MOTM went to Stefan who was instrumental in driving us forwards in the second half, but very close behind were Rafa and Yacine who had a great impact in the middle of the pitch. Ben will need to come visit more often and together with Antonio who both came on at half time made a big impact as well. Cheers lads, we’ll get it right next time!

Vets 2 arrived mostly on time and were very unusually already kitted out and starting the warm-up a good half hour before kick off.. maybe that’s what threw us off! We started with a 4-4-2 formation looking to emulate last week’s heroics, but were soon brought back to ground by Cornac’s slick passing and fast transitions. Soon after the early warnings, they scored from a soft(ish) penalty. We started making a few inroads down the right with Rafa slotting Bobby through on a few occasions and one resulted in a good shot that went just wide. Despite our efforts, their big man up front got two more from from corners and we went in 3-0 down at half time.
Martin came off for Stefan, making a welcome comeback, and Pietro also came on for Paddy who was running on fumes after a heavy night.. We improved in the second half and started pressing higher to create opportunities, but unfortunately still couldn’t find the net and Cornac got two more on the counter. Tough day at the office but we were outplayed fair and square. All is well though since Laurent won MOTM and bought a round of the strongest beers in the buvette and we went home happy 🙂

Match report – Game 1 – Vets 2 v BUFC 7

So the big day finally arrived.. first game of the season against our friendly rivals British United. The day got off to a bad start when we got news that the turds had to forfeit because their ref considered that the white lines on the pitch were too hard to see … don’t tell the Brits … careless talk and all that … the guys from Nossegem waved away our complaints and pleas .. but lucky enough, we had no official ref and the game got underway .. Ireland lined up 4-4-1-1 with Laurent in goal and a new look back 4 of Damo Martin Benoit and Cedric. In centre midfield Rafa and Luuk, Antonio and Bobby on the wings, Gustavo helping us out at nbr 10 and Oscar in his customary position up front. In the opening exchanges Ireland took the game to the Brits as planned but that didn’t last long .. we were a bit disorganised, British players were going unmarked, mistakes were being made, we were under constant pressure for a period of about 10 minutes. Some of the mistakes should have led to goals but we were saved a couple of times by Laurent and by some wayward Britsh shooting .. gradually though Ireland took back control .. the midfield trio asserted their quality and started combing well with the wingers and striker, spreading the ball around, creating chances. When we didn’t have the ball we pressed them hard to regain possession and force errors. Bobby had clearly taken the captains email to heart and was close to vomiting at one point. Exactly what we want. After about 20 minutes Oscar chased a loose ball on the edge of the box getting to it at the same time as the keeper who handled the ball outside the box. Free kick and yellow card, should have been red. Rafa took the free. Sent it high over the wall, it dipped late, sneaking just under the bar with the keeper unable to reach it. Beautiful goal. 1-0 to Ireland. 7 minutes later Oscar gambled that the defender would screw up a tricky back pass, nipping in to steal the ball and finished well. 2-0.
At half-time Alan came in for Gustavo as planned, Pietro for Cedric. Cedric had an excellent half in his first game as a defender, passing out of the back with great composure and using his speed and strength to good effect when defending.
In the 2nd half Ireland continued to dominate, with all players involved in passing moves from back to front and switching play nicely from one side to the other. On one occasion Benoit raided up the pitch beating 3 or 4 players and almost scoring. On another occasion it was Luuk who made a great run and then unleashed a powerful shot from about 20 metres which crashed into the net off the underside of the bar.
3-0
Bobby then went close, he ran past the the defender, one on one with the keeper his shot was saved.
But the Brits got one back, a nice passing move ended with their striker scoring from close range. They went close again after a poor Irish pass across the back was intercepted but Laurent was quick off his line, made himself big and blocked the shot. For the last few minutes Ireland managed to regain control and retain possession to see the game out and secure an important victory.
MOTM Rafa, well deserved.
Many thanks to delegue Bart, great to have him back..