Overview:
When all hope began to fade, Les Grenadiers delivered a masterful efficiency towards Costa Rica, making their dream of returning to the World Cup for the primary time in 52 years really feel more and more inside attain. Striker Frantzdy Pierrot scored the one aim within the 1-0 victory over Los Ticos.
For a lot of followers, hope had almost disappeared. After a string of poor performances, particularly the 3-0 loss to Honduras on Oct. 13 in San Pedro Sula, confidence in Les Grenadiers was at its lowest.
However on Nov. 13, Haiti produced certainly one of its most vital victories in many years—a commanding 1-0 win over Costa Rica at Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curaçao—reviving the dream of returning to the FIFA World Cup for the primary time since 1974.
Striker Frantzdy Pierrot scored the sport’s lone aim within the forty fourth minute, tapping in a low cross from younger star-winger Ruben Windfall to raise Haiti previous Los Ticos and put the crew on the point of qualification.
Haiti strikes into second place in aim differential, tied with Honduras in factors.
With the win, Haiti sits in second place in Group C with eight factors, tied with Honduras, and occupying the ultimate direct qualifying spot. Les Grenadiers will play last-place Nicaragua on Nov. 18—coinciding with Battle of Vertières Day—on the identical venue in Curaçao.
A win towards Nicaragua would routinely ship Haiti to the World Cup if Honduras drops factors to Costa Rica.
If Honduras wins its match, Haiti would nonetheless end second and advance to the intercontinental playoffs, whatever the end result towards Nicaragua.
A draw towards Nicaragua may additionally ship Haiti to the World Cup if Honduras loses, or to the playoffs if Honduras attracts as effectively in its match towards Costa Rica.
A good matchup forward and a historic second awaits
The worst crew within the group, Nicaragua, sits on the backside with 4 factors from 5 video games. Haiti beforehand defeated them 3-0 at dwelling on Oct. 9, making a victory on paper extremely attainable and the crew’s first World Cup look in 52 years extra sensible than ever.
After a disappointing 3-0 loss to Honduras of their earlier match, Haiti delivered a much more composed and disciplined efficiency towards Costa Rica.
The protection held agency, with Burnley F.C. defender Hannes Delcroix showcasing confidence on the ball and delivering a number of exact passes.
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde managed the tempo for Haiti, distributing from all angles and almost scoring his first aim for the nationwide crew with a curling effort within the twelfth minute that compelled a save from Keylor Navas.
Goalkeeper Johny Placide, criticized after the Honduras loss, redeemed himself with six essential saves and had a commanding presence in his field.
Pierrot, who has additionally confronted harsh scrutiny for missed probabilities in current qualifiers, earned reward from followers for delivering one of the vital vital targets of his profession.
Haiti will face Nicaragua on Nov. 18 in its closing group-stage match. A win could be historic—not just for ending a half-century World Cup drought, but in addition for securing qualification on the anniversary of the Battle of Vertières, the decisive victory of the Haitian Revolution.
Les Grenadiers now stand nearer than ever to rewriting their soccer historical past.