Overview:
Affiliation Sportive Capoise (ASC) triumphed over native rival Soccer Inter Membership Affiliation (FICA) 3-1 on penalties following a 0-0 draw, securing Le Vieux Coq Capois or The Outdated Rooster a spot within the 2025 Haitian Soccer Championship remaining in addition to a spot within the Concacaf Caribbean Cup. The group from the north will face Juventus des Cayes, a membership based mostly in Les Cayes—the primary metropolis of Haiti’s Southern Division—for the title on Could 31.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Affiliation Sportive Capoise (ASC) edged conventional metropolis rival Soccer Inter Membership Affiliation (FICA) 3-1 in a tense penalty shootout Wednesday night, Could 28, to safe a spot within the Haitian Soccer League remaining, following a goalless draw at Parc Saint-Victor.
ASC goalkeeper Yves Mary Clervin, identified amongst followers as Ti Papa, made one save in the course of the shootout, whereas FICA gamers missed the goal on a number of makes an attempt. Substitute Richecarde Georges netted the decisive penalty to ship ASC to the Could 31 remaining in opposition to Juventus des Cayes— a membership in Haiti’s south.
“I informed my gamers to attain and I’d make the saves,” Clervin stated in a post-game interview with The Haitian Occasions.
“I’m very proud to ship my group to the ultimate as a result of we labored exhausting for this second actually exhausting for this second.”
ASC will pursue its fourth league title within the remaining on Saturday in opposition to its southern counterpart.
“I’m actually blissful. Laborious work pays off. The sleepless nights and the practices beneath the new solar paid off. We stated we have been doing it, we’re blissful we reached our goal.”
Fredelin Philistin, Affiliation Sportive Capoise’s attacking midfielder
In a season marred by controversy, protests, and no-shows, ASC’s gritty playoff victory over Soccer Inter Membership Affiliation (FICA) symbolizes greater than a step towards a nationwide title — it displays the continuing wrestle to maintain Haitian soccer aggressive amid the nation’s multidimensional disaster. The match got here in opposition to a backdrop of discontent over league administration, political instability and socio-economic pressure that continues to disrupt sports activities, like practically each sector in Haiti.
Each finalists — ASC and Juventus — robotically qualify for the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, a coveted alternative for Haitian gamers to showcase their expertise internationally and probably safe contracts overseas. The Caribbean Cup might be performed from August to December this yr. ASC final performed in a regional match, the Concacaf Champions Cup, in 2019.
For a lot of Haitian athletes, competing in worldwide competitions is not only about profitable a championship — it’s about escaping a rustic battling a number of crises. ASC gamers, coaches and trainers celebrated as if that they had already received the league: dancing, weeping, lighting cigars and dragging gear luggage throughout the turf to imitate packing for journey.
“Laborious work pays off. Sleepless nights, coaching beneath the new solar — all of it paid off,” stated ASC playmaker Fredelin Philistin.
In the meantime, Juventus has but to play a Haitian League’s championship remaining since attaining the nation’s high soccer division. And the southerners will even participate in a regional match for the primary time within the membership’s historical past.
Derby turns right into a conflict of attrition
The semifinal lacked aptitude however was excessive on depth. Fouls got here ceaselessly as either side threw themselves into challenges. Gamers from each groups took exhausting knocks all through the match, requiring medical remedy on the sphere.
“Derbies are all the time like this,” Philistin stated. “It’s about resistance, engagement, and who needs it extra.”
ASC’s opponent within the remaining, Juventus des Cayes, topped Group II after a 2-0 win over Don Bosco of Pétion-Ville within the remaining group-stage match. Objectives got here from Philippo Ronaldo and Jachaziel Séraphin.
The playoffs have been structured with eight groups cut up into two teams. ASC and FICA superior from Group I after Tempête FC and Baltimore SC forfeited their video games in protest — Tempête’s bus broke down and Baltimore by no means gave an official motive.
The Haitian League’s fame for disorganization and restricted assets has been additional strained by the controversy surrounding these forfeits, drawing criticism from followers and officers.
Now, with the season virtually over, the golf equipment from the northern and southern cities are centered on the prize.
ASC coach Jean Lyonel Lorquet acknowledged the magnitude of the upcoming remaining.
“Towards Juventus, it’s not only a recreation — it’s for the title,” Lorquet stated. “We’ll want unity from gamers, coaches, administration, and followers.”
As Haiti reels from a deep political and safety disaster, the league’s survival — and moments like this semifinal opposing ASC to FICA within the Cap-Haïtien outdated derby — provide a uncommon glimpse of pleasure and resilience by means of sport.