CAP-HAÏTIEN — Haiti bowed down to Tunisia 1-0. Still, it played a satisfactory game despite conceding an early goal at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, in front of thousands of Haitian fans on Saturday night, March 28.
“We didn’t start the game well and at this level against a team around the 40th spot in FIFA’s rankings, it can get complicated,” head coach Sebastien Migné said in a press conference after the game.
“I’m satisfied with how the team reacted in the second half,” Migné added. “We weren’t from equalizing.”
Premier League striker Wilson Isidor made his debut off the bench in the memorable friendly that started to prove Haiti could compete with better opponents on paper in the World Cup. Tunisia, a fellow World Cup team, sits in 47th place in FIFA’s rankings while Haiti is in 83rd.
The game was part of the World Cup preparation. It was a critical test for Les Grenadiers because Tunisia has a similar defensive, counter-attack style as Morocco, one of Haiti’s opponents in the World Cup.
Les Aigles de Carthage opened the scoring early in the seventh minute when Sebastien Tounekti made an intelligent run without the ball inside the heart of the defense past center back Ricardo Adé before slotting a shot away from goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre in a counter-attack. The counter-attack started after Yassin Fortuné lost the ball in the midfield.
Despite giving up an early goal, Haiti remained mentally disciplined and put on a convincing performance. Les Grenadiers moved the ball exquisitely from defense to attack in a fast-tempo and physical game. Haiti came close to equalizing late in the second half when star striker Duckens Nazon headed winger Ruben Providence’s cross off the left goalpost.
Nazon was one of Haiti’s top performers despite subbing in at halftime. He also attempted a penalty kick to score a win. Winger Josué Casimir also impressed, electrifying the left flank with his runs and coming close to scoring in the first half with a curler that the opposing goalkeeper blocked.
Versatile defender Jean-Kévin Duverne also impressed, as he was solid defensively, making flying tackles, including one that prevented Tunisia from scoring in the second half. Duverne also contributed offensively with crisp passes. Danley Jean Jacques was also solid in the midfield with his passes but received a red card in the 93rd minute.
Although Les Grenadiers impressed, Haiti did not line up its best starting XI , missing starting goalkeeper Johny Placide and right back Carlens Arcus. Newcomer Isidor also did not start, as it was his first game and he had not played for Sunderland recently.
Haiti will return to BMO Field on March 31 to play a second friendly against Iceland, a game that will be behind closed doors at 9:30 a.m. ET.
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