Haiti vs Denmark: A glimmer of hope still remains for debutants

Haiti will face Denmark on Tuesday knowing that they still do have a glimmer of hope at qualifying for the round of 16. The Caribbean nation, who are one of eight teams making their debuts at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup have a mountain to climb, but are still not eliminated from the competition just yet.

Nicolas Delépine’s team come into their final group stage game sitting bottom of Group D. On matchday one, they faced England, who are the reigning EURO winners, but despite matching wits with the Lionesses for large spells of the game, came away with nothing in hand following a 1-0 loss. On matchday two, they faced China, who were also in a desperate scrap for points after losing 1-0 to Denmark, but despite receiving a huge boost, were unable to take advantage.

China had a player sent off early in the first half, meaning that the Asian outfit had to play the majority of the game with 10 people. However, Haiti failed to seize this opportunity and were quite wasteful in possession. That came back to haunt them as China managed to score from a penalty in the 73rd minute, and having gotten this lucky break, predictably closed up shop to frantically defend their narrow lead.

It was a heartbreaking result for Haiti, especially as they were by far the better side throughout, but had nothing to show for it. Indeed, it appears that their lack of experience at this level has been laid painfully bare at this summer’s tournament, and they now come into their crunch clash against Denmark having failed to win their last six games.

However, it’s not over just yet…but they will need help

Haiti still do have a chance at reviving their fortunes. First up, of course, requires them to beat Denmark, who also will need a win to guarantee a spot in the round of 16, and they will need to do so by a decent margin, specifically by at least three goals to overcome their -2 goal deficit (Denmark’s currently is zero). They also will need England, who are on top of the group having won their first two games by narrow 1-0 margins, to do likewise against China in the other crunch clash in Group D.

Indeed, England, despite being on top of the table, are not yet secure in the round of 16. None of the four teams: England, Haiti, Denmark, and China, have guaranteed progression just yet, making matchday three in Group D a very interesting one to follow for fans and neutrals alike. Both England and China, naturally will be pushing for all three points, although the Lionesses simply do need just a point to progress, while China would also be fine with just one point even if Haiti beat Denmark by a decisive victory.

At the moment, it’s not been the best of luck for debutant sides. Zambia, despite their encouraging 3-1 win over Costa Rica, have already been eliminated, along with the Philippines, who suffered a humiliating 6-0 loss to Norway to bring them crashing back down to earth following their impressive 1-0 victory against New Zealand. Ireland have also been dumped out following two defeats and a draw, and Vietnam’s final group stage match against the Netherlands will not help their cause – even if they do manage a shock win. Panama’s journey has also come to an early end, with France, Brazil, and Jamaica all still in the running for the round of 16.

Denmark, for their part, are back in the World Cup for the first time since 2007, and also will need a win to progress. They are hoping to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time since 1995, and while Haiti will present a tricky opponent, will nonetheless fancy their chances especially considering that they have lost just two of their last seven games. One of them was their recent 1-0 defeat to England at this summer’s tournament, but they will hope that the talent and experience from several of their key players could give them the added edge over a less-experienced side at this level.

Will Haiti be able to buck that trend, and with a bit of help from England, secure what would be a ground-breaking spot in the round of 16? Or will their first foray onto the bigger stage end in bitter disappointment, despite flashes of brilliance and promise from some of their younger players?