Haiti scores deep into stoppage time to beat Qatar 2-1 in Gold Cup Group B opener
(image via Qatar Football Association)
Qatar and Haiti began Group B play in the 2023 Gold Cup at NRG Stadium in Houston. In a group where Mexico looks to be the clear favorites, the battle for second place to advance will be a heated one. Both Qatar and Haiti looked poised with chances to grab three points but they each had to settle for just one after a 1-1 draw.
Qatar opened the scoring in the 20th minute off an error from Haiti goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre. A Qatar cross into the area hung up in the air and Pierre came way out to challenge forward Mohammed Muntari. Pierre couldn’t catch the ball cleanly and it bounced away. Pierre tried to smother the rebound but the ball bounced into the path of Yusuf Abdurisag. The Qatari forward calmly slotted his shot into the side netting with the goal open.
Qatar nearly doubled their lead after a good build up in the 35th minute. The ball came across the box to the left side and Homam Ahmed smashed his attempt off the crossbar.
Haiti got their chance to equalize on the stroke of halftime. Frantzdy Pierrot tried a cross into the box but Qatar defender Tarek Salman blocked it with his hand, leaving referee Daneon Parchment with no choice but to point to the spot. Duckens Nazon stepped up and made no mistake, leveling the game at 1-1 in first half stoppage time.
Both teams had chances in the second half to break the deadlock. Derrick Etienne hit the post in the 52nd minute. Qatar had a shout for a penalty and the referee went to the monitor. After a long look, the penalty was not given and the game stayed 1-1 in the 72nd minute.
Qatar had another shout for a penalty in the 82nd when a Haiti defender looked to wipe out the Qatari attacker. This time there was not even a check by VAR and Duckens Nazon nearly scored for Haiti on the other end as the arguments ensued.
The fourth official signaled for nine minutes of stoppage time. With the teams looking at sharing a point, Haiti found the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Haiti broke down the left side and had the Qatar defense stretched. A perfect squared pass from Carnejy Antoine found the run of Frandtzy Pierrot who cut in front of his defender and finished pass Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham. Pierrot’s goal sent the Haiti bench into jubilation and secured the win and three points.
Both teams will play their second matches of Group B on Thursday. Qatar will play Honduras and Haiti takes no Mexico in Glendale, Arizona.
