Overview:
Haiti’s girls’s soccer staff delivered a tactical masterclass in a pleasant match away in opposition to Chile, triumphing over the South American powerhouse 1-0 regardless of enjoying with a girl down because the forty first minute on account of a purple card.
On Friday evening, Les Grenadières have been lacking key gamers, together with captain Nérilia Mondésir, for a warm-up sport in opposition to Chile at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida in Santiago. Regardless of receiving a purple card within the forty first minute, the Haitian girls confirmed outstanding solidarity, braveness and tactical self-discipline to keep up their 1-0 lead. Demonstrating such composure with one participant down is a top quality solely the world’s prime groups can maintain over a full 90 minutes, and Haiti executed it practically to perfection after left-back Kethna Louis was despatched off for a reckless foul.
Melchie Durmornay was in full type for the Haitian nationwide staff, scoring the match’s solely aim via a penalty kick within the seventeenth minute, delighting 1000’s of festive Haitians on the stadium. Throughout an early offensive by Les Grenadières, Dumornay intercepted a move within the coronary heart of Chile’s protection within the sixteenth minute, then cleverly performed the ball again to ahead Batcheba Louis and moved ahead. Batcheba Louis then discovered Durmonay once more within the field. A Chilean defender in the end fouled the Olympique Lyonnais star, drawing the penalty kick.
Haiti was tactically disciplined from the beginning, staying organized in each protection and midfield. Proper midfielder Sherly Jeudy, left midfielder Roseline Éloissaint and ahead Batcheba Louis persistently tracked again to defend, even earlier than the purple card. The central midfielders stored the middle of the pitch tight, limiting Chile’s capacity to advance.
Offense clearly wasn’t Haiti’s precedence, with the staff beginning in a 4-4-1 formation and specializing in staying compact. The technique gave the impression to be forcing Chile into errors — and if that was Coach Malou Quignette’s plan, Haiti executed it to perfection.
Demonstrating such tactical self-discipline, significantly after receiving a purple card, is a top quality that solely the world’s prime groups can preserve for a full 90 minutes. Les Grenadières achieved this not in opposition to a median staff however in opposition to Chile, ranked thirty ninth on the earth. Though it was a pleasant match, Haiti’s self-discipline was commendable.
Enjoying soiled
The 2023 World Cup individuals additionally confirmed a extremely amateurish flaw: They often performed tough. Éloissaint pulled an opponent’s hair within the twenty third minute, and 4 minutes later, Kethna Louis pushed a Chilean participant. Each obtained yellow playing cards for pointless fouls.
Later, within the forty first minute, regardless of already being on a yellow card, Louis slide-tackled an opponent close to the touchline — a very pointless transfer, as Chile was not near a scoring alternative. The referee rightfully ejected her.
Simply three minutes later, center-back Claire Fixed yanked an opposing participant’s jersey and was proven a yellow card. In only one half, Haiti accrued 4 yellow playing cards and one purple card. It stays unclear what prompted the gamers to commit so many exhausting fouls within the first half; maybe they have been retaliating.
Haiti defeated Chile 2-1 in February 2023 to qualify for the final World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, so the 2 groups share a notable historical past.
Haiti performed a lot cleaner within the second half and obtained no extra playing cards. Nevertheless, the defenders typically dribbled out of the again and made harmful passes — one other signal of poor self-discipline.
Till Chelsea Domond changed her within the second half, Batcheba Louis was the lone striker within the 4-4-1 formation. She appeared uneasy and moved too slowly up prime. Dumornay occupied central midfield however supported Louis in assault when wanted and likewise dropped again to defend, particularly after Haiti was lowered to 10 gamers.
Though her efficiency was common by her requirements, Dumornay was a vital part of Haiti’s tactical masterclass on Friday. The Mirebalais native is thought for her scoring, aiding capacity, and tactical intelligence, and he or she confirmed her excessive soccer IQ once more.
The fast mixture play — the one-two between Dumornay and Louis — was lacking on Friday evening. Haiti performed an amazing sport tactically and defensively, however offensively, the staff was not at its finest. That was true even earlier than the purple card. The attacking third failed to provide sufficient fascinating performs, maybe by design, particularly since they fielded just one ahead.
Furthermore, captain Melchie Dumornay’s typical reference to Mondesir was absent, as Mondesir, the staff’s Quantity 10, didn’t costume on account of harm. Her absence was clearly felt.
Standouts: Domond and Pietrus
Substitute Chelsea Domond added much-needed attacking aptitude after coming into within the 63rd minute. The 25-year-old was explosive but composed, exhibiting sharp decision-making as she led counterattacks down the sphere.
One other standout was goalkeeper Kaïna V. Cesar Pietrus. Though solely 19, Pietrus stayed calm and assured all through the match. She made 4 saves, got here off her line when wanted, and distributed the ball successfully beneath strain.
After the ultimate whistle, Haitian gamers rushed to congratulate {the teenager}, whereas followers within the stands cheered, jumped and waved flags.
A video clip captured the ambiance at Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida in Santiago, Chile, on April 4, 2025. (Video credit score: Gesny Pierre-Louis by way of Fb.)
Haiti and Chile will meet once more March 8 at Complejo Juan Pinto Durán in Macul, Chile, at 10 a.m. EST. Will probably be their third assembly, and if Haiti wins once more, it could mark their third consecutive victory over the South American facet.