PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — They don’t have any sponsors, their training center closed because of gang violence and some of their biggest fans can’t afford a TV. Haiti’s soccer team earned a place at the Women’s World Cup despite all those obstacles, and remains undeterred.
Haiti will make its debut at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next month following a historic win over Chile that gave a boost to a country reeling amid deepening poverty, violence and political instability.
France-based midfielder Melchie “Corventina” Dumornay scored twice in that 2-1 win over Chile in New Zealand in a qualifying tournament that decided the last three of 32 spots at the tournament.
“The Haitian team will give its all,” said Emmanuel Jean, who coached players including team captain Nérilia Mondésir and Dumornay when they were younger. “I will watch as Dumornay shows the world what she’s made of.”
It’s been almost half a century since Haiti made a World Cup appearance at the senior level, with the men playing in 1974.
Jean was a coach at the professional soccer training center in Croix-des-Bouquets, a once peaceful community east of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince that is now controlled by a powerful gang. A surge in killings and kidnappings in the area forced officials to close the center several years ago, forcing the women to play home games in the neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
Players at the center were previously able to practice twice daily and play matches on Sunday, Jean recalled. Now, some young players train only once a week on a small field loaned by Haiti’s top private school.
“As you can see, we don’t have a lot, but we do what we can,” Jean said as he signaled at the limited equipment and uniforms donated by supporters.
The school also provides snacks and sandwiches after training.
The program aims to keep kids off the street and prevent them from joining gangs, as…
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