Haiti women’s national soccer team rallies back for 2-1 win over New Zealand in friendly

NEW YORK — Haiti’s women’s soccer team earned a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over New Zealand on June 5 in Spain, delivering what many fans called its most complete performance since head coach Pia Sundhage took charge in February.

The friendly game at El Maulí Stadium in Málaga was part of the preparations for the second phase of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Eighteen-year-old striker Lourdjina Etienne scored the winning goal two minutes into the second half, while veteran forward Nérilia Mondésir equalized late in the first half. Midfielder Melchie Dumornay, one of the world’s top players, set up both goals as Les Grenadieres continued preparations for the next phase of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Riding the optimism surrounding Haiti’s men’s World Cup qualification, Les Grenadières gave supporters another reason to celebrate. To many fans, Friday’s win was the women’s team’s best performance.

Haiti’s men’s team also defeated New Zealand this week, routing the Oceanian side 4-0 on June 2 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as excitement continues to build around Haitian soccer following the men’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Haitian fans across the globe took to social media to express their satisfaction after seeing a much better Haiti team on Friday afternoon.

Signs of progress under Sundhage

Haiti’s level of play dropped noticeably after its appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The team often looked disorganized, struggled to keep possession and lacked a clear attacking identity. Players frequently appeared frustrated on the field.

Many fans and analysts attributed some of those struggles to the team’s inexperience on the sidelines under former coach Malou Quignette, who took charge of a senior national team for the first time.

The Haitian Football Federation hired Pia Sundhage on Feb. 13, bringing in one of the most accomplished coaches in women’s soccer. Sundhage, FIFA Women’s World Coach of the Year in 2012, previously coached Brazil, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

The victory over New Zealand offered the clearest sign yet that Haiti is beginning to adapt to Sundhage’s system and regain the form that carried the team to the 2023 World Cup.

Questions remain despite the encouraging results

While Les Grenadières showed signs of improvement in Sundhage’s first three matches, they failed to score from open play, suggesting that cohesion among the attackers still needs to be sharpened. 

Sundhage surprisingly did not call up two veteran strikers, Batcheba Louis, Haiti’s all-time top scorer, and Roselord Borgella.  However, Keisha Gue, a forward from the U-17 squad, earned her first senior call-up. Amelie Joseph, a striker for FC Metz in France, was also called up for the first time. Sundhage also left out veteran defender Chelsea Surpris. Still, she called up 10 defenders, highlighting that one of her priorities during the friendlies is to test out defenders.  

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Océane Toussaint made her first appearance for Haiti and preserved the lead with two late saves.

Les Grenadieres return to action on June 8 against Equatorial Guinea at Juventus de Torremolinos Stadium in Málaga, Spain.

Haiti’s next World Cup qualifier comes Nov. 28 against Mexico in a decisive game in which the winner will automatically book its ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. 

The game will be played at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium on Nov. 28 and will also serve as the CONCACAF Women’s Championship quarterfinal.

The post Haiti women’s national soccer team rallies back for 2-1 win over New Zealand in friendly appeared first on The Haitian Times.