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Haiti qualified for the first time in its history for the Women’s World Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over Chile on Wednesday (February 22nd) in a play-off tournament in New Zealand. Cameroon, he suffered the law of Portugal (2-1).
The Haitian selection joins England, Denmark and China in Group D of the next World Cup, co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia from July 20 to August 20, 2023.
Haiti, ranked 55th nation in the world, will face the English, European champions, in the first match of group D in Brisbane on July 22. Young midfielder Melchie Dumornay, who plays for Stade de Reims, gave the Haitians the lead just before half-time in Auckland.
In the 90th minute, captain Nerilia Mondesir had her penalty kicked out. But Dumornay, 19, doubled Haiti’s lead by beating Christiane Endler, the Chilean star goalkeeper for Olympique Lyonnais, in injury time.
Cruel for Cameroon
Substitute Maria José Rojas then reduced the score for Chile in the dying moments of added time.
This match was the first of three finals of the play-off tournament to decide the final places at the World Cup.
The second meeting saw Portugal beat Cameroon (2-1) in Hamilton. Led in the 22nd minute after a goal by Diana Gomes, the Indomitable Lionesses equalized in the 89th minute by Ajara Nchout Njoya, thinking they had done the hard part. But a penalty from Carole Costa in stoppage time (90 + 4) will put an end to the dream of a third participation in the World Cup for Cameroon.
Portugal join reigning world champions USA, 2019 runners-up Netherlands and Vietnam in World Cup Group E.
The final qualifying spot will be decided on Thursday when Paraguay take on Panama. The winner will meet France, Jamaica and Brazil in Group F.
(With AFP)
