Overview:
Regardless of an uneven efficiency, Les Grenadières defeated Suriname 2-0 within the World Cup qualifiers in head coach Pia Mariane Sundhage’s debut. The skilled and internationally famend coach started implementing her system instantly, however the gamers will want time to totally adapt.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — From deploying a three-player again line to beginning an inexperienced goalkeeper in a World Cup qualifier, head coach Pia Mariane Sundhage made a number of debatable selections in her first sport in control of Haiti’s ladies’s nationwide crew. Nonetheless, she guided Les Grenadières to a 2-0 victory over Suriname away at Franklin Essed Stadium.
Haiti struggled to attach passes whereas adjusting to the 2012 FIFA Ladies’s Coach of the 12 months’s fashion of play. Though cohesion was missing for lengthy stretches, significantly within the first half, there have been flashes of promise suggesting the crew might enhance underneath Sundhage’s management. The gamers steadily tailored however by no means absolutely discovered their rhythm earlier than the ultimate whistle.
Winger Roseline Eloissaint opened the scoring within the 68th minute, capitalizing on a poor clearance by the Suriname goalkeeper to complete with a strong shot from a decent angle into an empty internet. Workforce captain Melchie Daëlle Dumornay sealed the victory with a penalty within the 89th minute.
Regardless of the modest scoreline and quite a few misplaced passes, the environment at Franklin Essed Stadium recommended optimism for the crew’s future. The gamers appeared decided to adapt to Sundhage’s tactical method — a distinction with earlier performances that usually lacked construction and vitality.
Even with the uneven efficiency, Haiti’s sport plan appeared clearer than in current matches, when the crew typically appeared disorganized. Though errors have been frequent, the gamers didn’t seem annoyed or discouraged. As a substitute, they remained engaged — an indication they might already be shopping for into Sundhage’s system.
After the ultimate whistle, Sundhage gathered her gamers right into a smiling huddle — a gesture that might assist strengthen crew unity and belief.
If there was ever an opponent towards whom to experiment with a brand new system, it was a creating crew like Suriname. Regardless of their struggles, Les Grenadières scored twice and stored a clear sheet.
It was not a dream debut, however Sundhage achieved two important targets: profitable and laying the inspiration for a brand new tactical id.
Three-player protection might work with the best personnel
Utilizing a three-player again line was not essentially a mistake. Nevertheless, the defenders chosen for the system raised questions.
Sundhage positioned Jennyfer Limage centrally, flanked by Claire Fixed on the best and Amandine Pierre-Louis on the left.
Limage, primarily a defensive midfielder, repeatedly tried troublesome ahead passes in tight areas reasonably than choosing less complicated distribution. The 28-year-old misplaced possession a number of occasions whereas making an attempt to provoke assaults from the again.
Limage additionally performed middle again underneath former coach Malou Quignette and struggled with comparable passing points then. In midfield, nevertheless, her passing dangers could be more cost effective, with defenders positioned behind her to get well possession.
These errors didn’t result in a purpose towards Suriname, however stronger opponents might punish such errors. On Oct. 28, in a pleasant sport towards Morocco, for instance, a defensive turnover by Limage led on to a purpose.
Pierre-Louis additionally appeared an imperfect slot in a again three, as her fashion favors overlapping runs down the flank. Fixed appeared essentially the most comfy within the system.
One other attainable choice for a three-player protection might be Kethna Louis, who can play each middle again and left again, however she was not known as up despite being healthy.
Sundhage additionally surprisingly neglected star ahead Nérilia Mondésir, who just lately extended her contract with Seattle Reign FC of the Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League (NWSL). She is in glorious type, getting ready for the membership’s regular-season opener on March 15.
It’s not the time to groom younger and new goalkeepers
Naïla Louissaint, a 21-year-old freshman at Montreal-based Concordia College, made her debut for Haiti.
Though she stored a clear sheet, her lack of expertise was noticeable. Louissaint appeared hesitant when coming off her line throughout nook kicks and infrequently positioned herself too removed from her purpose whereas Haiti was in possession. Within the forty seventh minute, a again move from Fixed almost led to a expensive mistake.
Nonetheless, Louissaint confirmed potential, together with a point-blank save within the twenty second minute.
Sundhage’s different goalkeeping choices embrace two extra younger gamers: 20-year-old Kaina César Pietrus and 19-year-old Mahe Lee Caron. Pietrus could have been the safer selection, having already spent a yr with the nationwide crew.
Whereas these younger goalkeepers present promise, World Cup qualifiers will not be the perfect stage for improvement. Pleasant matches would supply a lower-risk surroundings, significantly as Haiti prepares to face stronger opponents later within the qualifying marketing campaign.
Haiti additionally has a veteran goalkeeper, Kerly Théus, who represented the nation on the 2018 FIFA U-20 Ladies’s World Cup and the 2023 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup. Nevertheless, she has not been known as up just lately attributable to journey limitations from america. Reintegrating Théus might assist stabilize the place if circumstances permit.
Sundhage additionally began three different comparatively unfamiliar gamers: 21-year-old winger Joséphine Vanuxeem, 27-year-old midfielder Anyssa Ibrahim and 21-year-old midfielder Déborah Bien-Aimé.
Vanuxeem and Ibrahim have been substituted at halftime, with Sherly Jeudy and Eloissaint among the many gamers getting into the match. These adjustments helped Haiti achieve attacking momentum within the second half, significantly main as much as Eloissaint’s opening purpose.
Sundhage, employed lower than a month in the past, is studying her squad’s strengths and weaknesses. Nonetheless, followers stay optimistic and captivated with what’s forward.
Haiti’s subsequent World Cup qualifier is scheduled for April 9 towards Anguilla — one other alternative to refine the system towards a creating opponent.
However because the competitors intensifies, slim and unconvincing victories could not fulfill followers.
Les Grenadières should not solely win — they have to additionally rediscover the engaging, assured fashion of soccer that when made them one of many rising forces in ladies’s soccer.