THE NATION'S "ESPOIR" TEAM - HAITIAN'S YOUNG RISING SOCCER STARS
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Haitians came in large numbers with great expectation to watch a wonderful exhibition game between the young Haitian national of U_17 years and their counterpart the USA national team (USA already qualified for the World cup of under 17 years old). The public would not be disappointed by both team's performance during this action full-game at the Lockart stadium of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday evening (with pleasant scarce and sporadic unthreathened cool rain drops), April 28th, 2001, following an equally emotional and action-pack game between the local Miami Fusion and the Revolution soccer team of Massachusetts.
Line up of the young Haitian national team (in dark blue and red) and the USA national team (in white jersey) moment before the playing of the National anthems of both countries, during this friendly game at Lockart stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
An attack by the Haitian team during the first half of the game, when Haiti seems to have dominated the game, although the score was 2 goals to 2 after the referee whistle had blown to mark the end of the first 45 minutes of play for the first half.
The Haitians young national team watches the game between Miami Fusion soccer team and the Massachusetts Revolution. It was in that same Northwest corner of the Lockart stadium that the Haitian team received a warm applaud from the mix crowd of Haitians and Americans, who were present by the thousands to witness as luckiy spectators a historical and pleasant afternoon/evening of tropical soccer delight.
A few of the Haitian young star players. When I asked the question: "Who would score the goal for Haiti?" The answer was unanimous "li" the Haitian-Creole word for "him". The "li" happened to be #7 Fucien Brunelle, who although did not score personally, but led in the attack, some of the most exciting plays that thrilled the Haitians, Americans, Cubans and Brazilians melting pot soccer lover crowd. Seated next to the right of Brunelle was Carlo Pierre, who did score a goal for Haiti. Carlo Pierre, a well built and talented player, who at his age of almost 17 years, already seems qualified to defend the Haitian national colors at any level.
Walking away with his arm strapped, is the lead young Haitian goal keeper, who had his arm injured during a previous game, just a few days ago. He is accompanied by his team mate and a chaperon, Haitian National Coach Tatcho Eliazard.
It was a memorable game that Haitians and Americans soccer affectionado would not soon forget. We all came to see a good game with a sensational team of talended and fast speed players, we saw that. We had hope that the score would end up even, however a mistake by the goal keeper who came out of his cage, when he should not have, would give the US the upper hand to win by a friendly score of 3 goals to 2. Most Haitians came out joyful and satisfied of the performance of the new Haitian sensational team, which will be making an effort to qualify in the CONCACAF elimination to be held in Honduras during the first week of the month of May, so it could guarantee itself the opportunity to play in the world cup of under 17 years old, which will be held in Trinidad Tobago on September 16th, 2001. We hope that they will succeed in their quest for qualification, where other have failed and bring Haiti back to its former glory in the world of soccer, as the adult national team did in 1974 and perharps even better. Who knows what the future holds? However, there is reason for cautious optimism of a Haitian soccer renaissance, if Haiti takes good care of his own rising stars (The youth of today's Haiti and tomorrow's), with their God given talents and the ever ending works of trainers care takers, that have brought them to this level of sporting proficiency, that most patriotic Haitians who love their country and their fellow Haitians are happy to witness some progress being made, at least at the soccer level, during the dawn of this mew millenium, when every country on earth is trying to be the best at whatever they can be, in this new era of globalization, when survival of the fittest means just that. We hope for its own sake that Haiti and its players will stay on course, so that no one will take away or scavenge the fruit of their hard earned labors, that is rightfully Haiti's.
Written by Noe Dorestant on 5/1/2001. All pictures were taken and provided by Dorestant as a token of his civic contribution to help promote Haitian International soccer on the World Wide Web. All rights reserved 2001.
Sport update from Haiti TeleNational
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