01/09/2026
**New-look IFC Ladies 1 narrowly lose first cup match against Alphense Boys**
A new season, a new-look IFC Ladies 1 and plenty of familiar faces missing from the pitch as IFC started the 2026/27 season with their first cup match against Alphense Boys. Several players retired or moved away during the summer, although former goalkeeper Gilda clearly isn't quite ready to stay away and was back on the sidelines to support the team.
There were plenty of new names in the starting line-up for IFC 1, with Lotte, Suze, Selma, Emma and Robien all part of the renewed squad. One position IFC had not quite managed to fill yet was goalkeeper. New captain Adwo therefore took responsibility between the posts and, despite not exactly being known as a goalkeeper, was apparently fully prepared to dive around as well.
After rain and miserable weather for most of the morning, the skies cleared just in time for kick-off and suddenly IFC found themselves playing 90 minutes in full sunshine.
Perhaps understandably with so many changes, IFC started somewhat chaotically, still figuring out the new formation and chemistry. As the team began pressing higher and winning more balls, however, things improved considerably.
Alphense Boys mainly looked dangerous with long balls over IFC's back three towards their quick forwards. This forced Adwo to play well outside her goal at times, anticipating the danger and collecting several balls before the strikers could reach them. Brigid, Robien and Annemarieke also intercepted plenty, regularly finding Adwo behind them when needed.
Unfortunately, Alphense Boys did eventually find the breakthrough. A good through ball released their striker, whose powerful effort was initially met by Adwo, but the ball bounced off her hands and continued into the goal before anyone could recover.
IFC had more than enough opportunities at the other end, with much of the danger coming from the flanks. Jiarah was a constant problem for the Alphense Boys defence. Time after time she used her speed to get in behind, and once she started running there was very little her defender could do to keep up. Her runs created several of IFC's biggest chances, including a number of one-on-ones with the goalkeeper. Unfortunately, on this particular afternoon, the final touch just wouldn't cooperate. On another day, Ji could easily have walked away with several goals to show for all those runs.
On the left, Emma also made life difficult for the opposition. Combining well with Selma, she repeatedly worked her way past defenders and made dangerous runs down the flank, delivering several useful crosses into the box. Selma helped control the midfield and kept finding space to move the ball forward, despite seemingly becoming the preferred target for every heavy challenge Alphense Boys had available.
And that was more or less the story of IFC's afternoon in front of goal. The chances were certainly there: dangerous crosses from both sides, one-on-ones, shots from inside and outside the box. But between the post, crossbar, efforts going just wide and shots ending up straight in the goalkeeper's hands, the ball simply refused to go in. With slightly more clinical finishing, IFC could probably have scored six and still complained about the chances they missed.
The match was also becoming increasingly physical. Selma in particular had to deal with several nasty challenges, and at one point IFC was mainly relieved to see her get back up again. The referee's decision not to whistle for some of the challenges did little to improve the mood.
Alphense Boys added a second from another ball behind the defence, although IFC was convinced there was more than a hint of offside about it. Adwo rushed from her goal to close down the striker, but the attacker managed to get the decisive touch and the ball rolled in for 2-0.
The second half saw a much stronger IFC. Coach Leo rotated regularly in the warm conditions and the passing became quicker, the combinations better and the attacking pressure increasingly difficult for Alphense Boys to deal with.
Chiara brought her usual energy and seemed determined to cover as much of the pitch as humanly possible. Lina regularly tried her luck from distance while also putting in plenty of defensive work, tracking all the way back when needed. Astrid repeatedly attacked the box and still somehow found the energy to sprint back down the line defensively. Lotte worked tirelessly both centrally and on the flank and produced perhaps the most painful shot of the afternoon when a fiercely struck ball connected directly with an Alphense Boys defender's face. That one looked like it hurt. We hope that defender is doing better now!
Suze made an impact after coming on in the first half on the right, while Naomi joined in during the second and immediately showed some nice combinations and one-twos. Together they did a good job controlling the right flank.
At the back, Robien produced one of the tackles of the afternoon with a perfectly timed slide to stop a dangerous attack before it could reach Adwo. Alphense Boys weren't particularly impressed, but Robien got the ball completely cleanly. Unfortunately for the attacker, once the ball went, she more or less had to come along with it after many complaints to the ref who agreed that it was clean
Brigid meanwhile had the difficult job of dealing with one of Alphense Boys' quickest attackers and matched her pace remarkably well, keeping her under control for most of the afternoon.
When Alphense Boys did manage to get through, Adwo was growing increasingly comfortable in her temporary position. A curling effort looked destined for the corner until she produced a full-stretch diving save to push it wide. From the resulting corner she was called upon again, this time punching the dangerous delivery clear of the box. Not bad for someone who started the afternoon without "goalkeeper" anywhere on her job description.
With around 20 minutes remaining, Annemarieke moved forward and immediately added another dimension with quick one-touch combinations. IFC kept creating chances, but the goal continued to have some kind of invisible force field around it.
Eventually, after yet another dangerous challenge from behind on Selma, IFC finally got its reward. Robien carefully delivered the resulting free kick into the box, where Lina controlled the ball beautifully with two touches before finishing to make it 2-1 in the 75th minute.
IFC pushed for the equaliser and certainly created enough opportunities to find one. On another afternoon, several of those shots probably go in. Yesterday, absolutely nothing seemed interested in crossing that goal line.
The final whistle therefore brought a frustrating 2-1 defeat, but also plenty of positives from the first cup match of the season. With several new players, a temporary goalkeeping position and a team still learning to play together, IFC grew considerably throughout the match and created more than enough opportunities to get a result.
The finishing boots may have been left at home this Saturday, but if IFC can keep creating chances like these, surely they won't stay missing for long.
IFC's cup campaign continues next Saturday, September 5, with an away fixture against EMM'21. These cup matches give the renewed squad another opportunity to find their rhythm before the league campaign officially begins on September 19, when IFC will face Rijnvogels.
**Alphense Boys – IFC 2-1**
1-0 Alphense Boys
2-0 Alphense Boys
2-1 Lina (Robien)