Haiti defeats New Zealand 4-0 in pre-World Cup friendly

In a commanding pre-World Cup performance, Haiti defeated New Zealand 4-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match, played in sweltering conditions with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, was delayed due to lightning in the area before a crowd of more than 16,000, predominantly Haitian supporters.

Ruben Providence opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error to chip the ball past New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen. Haiti extended its lead early in the second half when substitute Lenny Joseph finished a through ball in the 51st minute. Frantzdy Pierrot headed in a third goal in the 62nd minute, and Duke Lacroix completed the scoring with a powerful shot from the edge of the area in the 87th minute.

The victory served as a significant morale boost for Haiti, which is preparing for its first World Cup appearance in 52 years. The team qualified despite severe challenges at home, including gang violence that prevented it from hosting any qualifying matches. The atmosphere in the stadium was celebratory, with fans draped in Haitian flags and national music playing throughout the match. After...