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Haiti's preparations for the Caribbean Football Union's Gold Cup playoff tournament continued in Trinidad with a friendly against TT Pro League side W Connection.
Per a press release from the Haitian Football Federation, Head coach Jean Claude Josaphat only had 14 players in camp - and only 13 fit to play. Notable absentees from the 20-man squad called up for the January matches include the India-based trio of senior players: Sony Norde, Duckens Nazon, and Kervens Belfort. So perhaps best not to read too much into Josaphat's starting lineup against W Connection.
Nonetheless, the lineup did include the New York Red Bulls' Derrick Etienne, and he scored late in the first half to give Les Grenadiers a 2-1 lead at half-time. The FHF reports W Connection was able to make multiple substitutions for the second half, while Josaphat had little option but to leave most of his players on the (rain-soaked) field. The match finished 2-2.
Haiti's first competitive game in Trinidad will be on January 6 against Suriname, followed by a January 8 match against the Soca Warriors.
On January 2, Les Grenadiers will play their final warm-up match of their current training camp, against another TT Pro League team, Defence Force.