Haitian soccer teams draw in opening games of Caribbean Cup in convincing performances | ANALYSIS

CAP-HAÏTIEN — In the  2024 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, both Ouanaminthe Football Club and Real Hope Football Academy capitalized on their opponents’ defensive errors to secure 1-1 draws Thursday night in their opening matches, showcasing promising performances.

Ouanaminthe, playing its first-ever match in the competition, faced Trinidadian side AC Port of Spain at Estadio Moca 85 in the Dominican Republic. The match saw Shackiel Henry score first for Port of Spain with a header from a corner in the 34th minute. However, in the 54th minute, Ouanaminthe equalized when Port of Spain’s goalkeeper mishandled a cross, allowing Frantz Moïse’s shot to be redirected into the net by Joseph ‘Dewoule’ Willinx for the 1-1 stalemate over the game’s 90 minutes. 

Willinx, who has been a prolific goalscorer in recent cup competitions, was named Player of the Match. His performance was especially noteworthy after a challenging season where he was sidelined due to disputes with his former club, Football Inter Club Association (FICA).

Defensive solidity, offensive challenges and the need for improvement

For their opening games, both Haitian teams displayed strong defensive energy, with Ouanaminthe particularly noted for its assertive tackles. However, their aggressive style led to frequent fouls, sometimes in unnecessary situations. James Céné, a key defensive midfielder for Ouanaminthe, had to be substituted in the second half after receiving a yellow card, highlighting the need for cleaner play—a point emphasized by Ouanaminthe’s new head coach, Roudy Joseph.

Real Hope players appeared fatigued in the first half and adopted a defensive posture in the second half to protect their 1-0 lead. These factors hindered the attackers from showcasing their full potential, despite the team’s usual fast-paced, direct playing style.

Offensively, both teams moved the ball well from defense to midfield but struggled with creativity in the final third. Players often opted for individual plays over team collective, missing opportunities to pass and potentially score. For instance, Ouanaminthe’s Widjoly Minoche took an off-target shot in the 27th minute despite having open teammates.

Star players, while performing well, did not fully capitalize on their opportunities. Real Hope’s Rapha Intervil, known for his speed, often chose short passes over taking on defenders directly. Real Hope’s other star player, Colo Myson, was unable to participate in the Caribbean Cup due to administrative issues. 

As for Ouanaminthe, its star player Roobens ‘Paloulou’ Philogène also played well but lacked a killer instinct to help his side win. Philogène, who is known for scoring goals, played in an attacking midfield role as he surprisingly also did in the Haitian League last season. 

Philogène sprayed the ball in all directions of the field to his teammates, which limited him from getting into the box, where he’s best at. He nearly gave his team the lead with a long-range shot that narrowly missed the target in the dying minutes of added time.

Willinx, another key player for Ouanaminthe, had a relatively quiet game despite scoring the equalizer with a mere tap-in. He also had a goal disallowed for offside after a one-time finish in the second half.

Looking ahead

After their draws, both Haitian teams will look to continue to grow as the tournament goes on. Real Hope is set to play Jamaican club Cavalier on September 17 at 8 p.m. local time at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The next day, Ouanaminthe will face Dominican side Moca FC also at 8 p.m. at Estadio Moca, in the Dominican Republic.

These upcoming matches will be crucial as both teams aim to refine their strategies and capitalize on their promising performances.

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