Haiti came and conquered, and did so quite dominantly, hammering the Golden Jaguars 6-2 in their first meeting of the Concacaf Nations League this season at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, on Saturday afternoon.
With the comprehensive victory, Haiti, one of the top sides in Concacaf, has now moved to the top of Group B in League B, and their next game on Tuesday is a return fixture against Guyana in the Dominican Republic.
In hindsight, Golden Jaguars’ Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz might rue the decision to structurally weaken the defense at the start, bringing in Matthew Briggs for Quincy Adams, when ideally, both should have started.
It left the flanks exposed- albeit the changes he made significantly strengthened the mid-field- and the Haitians came in from wide and created havoc in a goal-frenzy first-half, which ended 5-2 in their favour.
The first goal by Dany Jean (4th) came via defensive shutdown after a cross into the box. Five minutes later, Steeven Saba rattled the net to silence the Guyanese.
In fact, the initial sprinkling of Haitian fans was very vocal, in some cases drowning out the Guyanese supporters.
Hope for the Jaguars came via Emery Welshman in the 11th minute as he reduced the lead with a powerful right-foot shot and did have a chance to level the scores, but didn’t get hold of the attempted bicycle kick.
Haiti quickly shrugged off the locals’ attempt to recapture the momentum as their precise passing and Guyana’s inability to defend properly at ‘dead ball’ plays kept them in the ascendency.
Carnejy Antoine, who had what looked a certainty of a goal saved by Quillian Roberts got his mark on the scoresheet in the 38th minute, and the norm of Haiti scoring in a procession continued as Derrick Eitienne Jr hit the back of the net in the 41st and 43rd.
Nathan Moriah-Welsh made the most of his chance in the 45th to add a consolation, if any, for the Guyanese at the half.
Shabazz rang the changes in the second half, bringing on Jeremy Garrett, Tre Mitford, and Adams, and though it brought more stability to the backline, and more zest in attacking, Haiti still held the clear advantage.
Mitford used his height and aggression to run at goal, and with wonder kid, Omari Glasgow being shut down by the Haitian defenders, there were few options going forward, and often too few bodies in the box.
Ten minutes before the end of regulation time, Fredler Christophe added a sixth goal for the Haitians, who are yet to endure defeat against the Guyanese.
Guyana, who entered the contest on the back of two wins, would ideally need a draw in the Dominican Republic to hold on to second place, which would give them a chance at contesting the Gold Cup prelims.
