On Friday, June 5, 2026, our Grenadières (ranked 47th in the world) took to the pitch at El Mauli Stadium in Antequera, Malaga Province (Spain) for a friendly match in preparation for the final phase of the qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil (June 24 to July 25, 2027). Our Grenadières faced the Ford Football Ferns, the New Zealand national team. They won the match 2-1, thanks to a solid performance where our Grenadières disciplinedly executed the game plan of Swedish coach Pia Sundhage.

Grenadières Starting XI :

Following the Grenadières' impressive performance against New Zealand last Tuesday [4-0] https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-47665-haiti-2026-world-cup-preparation-in-a-friendly-match-haiti-crushes-new-zealand-[4-0].html Our Grenadières are preparing to take action with the same determination. The team will be able to count on the return of Melchie Daëlle Dumornay, aka "Corventina," who was absent from the last training camp and is resuming her place in midfield. Goalkeeper Océane Toussaint will make her first appearance in the national team's starting eleven.

Goalkeepers :

#12 Oceane Toussaint : Paris Saint-Germain (France)

Defenders :

#20 Kethna Louis : Montpellier Hérault SC (France)

#3 Jennyfer Limage : RC Lens (France)

#4 Tabita Dougenie Joseph : Olympique de Marseille (France)

#16 Claire Constant : DC Power FC (USA)

Midfielders :

#9 Sherly Jeudy : RC Lens (France)

#6 Melchie D. Dumornay : OL Lyonnes (France)

Attackers :

#15 Darlina Florsie L. Joseph : Toulouse FC (France)

#11 Roseline Eloissaint : FC Nantes (France)

#10 Nerilia Mondesir : Seattle Reign FC (USA)

#19 Lourdjina Etienne : FC Fleury (France)

Coach : Pia Sundhage

Summary : A long-range free kick from Michaela Foster in the 41st minute found Claudia Bunge in the Haitian penalty area. The defender then headed home an unstoppable effort to open the scoring [0-1] for New Zealand, beating the young goalkeeper Océane Toussaint.

The Haitian reaction The opening goal was almost immediate, with New Zealand goalkeeper Alina Santos forced into a save just minutes after the opening strike. Haiti increased the pressure in the final minutes of the first half, finally achieving the desired result just seconds before the break. Haitian captain Nerilia Mondesir converted a free kick from the right touchline in the 45+3 minute of added time [1-1].

After the restart, barely into the second half, the Grenadières outpaced the New Zealand defense. Corventina once again orchestrated the play, providing her second assist of the match. Perfectly set up, Lourdjina Étienne calmly slotted the ball into the net in the 47th minute to seal the score [2-1], a lead that remained unchanged until the final whistle.

From then on, Haiti controlled the tempo of the game and maintained their lead, much to the dismay of the New Zealanders. Football Ferns, unable to create any chances for most of the second half.

New Zealand did manage a few attacks late in the game, all of which were thwarted by the Haitian goalkeeper and defense.

Goals :

New Zealand :

Claudia Bunge 41’ [0-1]

Haiti :

Nérilia Mondésir 45’+3’ [1-1]

Lourdjina Étienne 47’ [2-1]

Next friendly match schedule :

June 8th Haiti vs. Equatorial Guinea (the "Nzalang" (lightning in a Bantu language)) at the Juventus Stadium in Torremolinos, Malaga Province, Spain (noon in Haiti)

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-47678-women-s-brazil-2027-preparation-d-1-new-zealand-vs-haiti-friendly-match.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-47661-women-s-world-cup-brazil-2027-2-international-friendly-matches-for-our-grenadieres.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-47482-spain-two-international-friendly-matches-for-our-senior-grenadieres.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46849-haiti-flash-swedish-pia-sundhage-new-coach-of-grenadieres-senior.html

HL/ BF/HaitiLibre