Story perspectives

Haiti Crushes New Zealand 4-0 After Lightning Delay

6/3/2026

Summary

Haiti Beats NZ

Haiti beat New Zealand 4-0 at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale on 3 June 2026.
The match started 30 minutes late after a lightning threat.
Ruben Providence scored in the 12th minute, followed by goals from Lenny Joseph (51'), Frantzdy Pierrot (62') and Duke Lacroix (87').
Coach Darren Bazeley made halftime substitutions while referee denied defender Tim Payne’s penalty appeal, judging goalkeeper Johny Placide to have clipped him.
Goalkeeper Johny Placide also saved shots from Chris Wood and Marko Stamenic.

Summary

Haiti Upsets NZ

Haiti defeated New Zealand in the warm-up match despite the steamy Florida heat.
A lively crowd of Haitian supporters filled the stands and cheered each attack.
The match was played without video-assistant referee technology, leaving a disputed penalty appeal unresolved.
New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said the side will face England in their warm-up on Saturday.
Haitian diaspora leaders in Miami hailed victory as a confidence boost before the World Cup.

Summary

Haiti Prevails

A pre-match weather delay produced a vivid rainbow over Chase Stadium, photographed before kickoff.
Haiti’s lineup featured A-League talent, with Wilson Isidor assisting and Don Deedson Louicius cutting across the byline.
New Zealand fielded several A-League players, including Tim Payne, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Nando Pijnaker, Callan Elliott and Jesse Randall.
Western Sydney Wanderers forward Kosta Barbarouses substituted for Chris Wood in the 71st minute.
Coaches stressed the friendly was a final tactical warm-up for both squads despite 30 °C heat.

History

Historical Context

After winning the 1973 CONCACAF Championship, Haiti became the first Caribbean nation to reach the 1974 World Cup, where Emmanuel Sanon ended Dino Zoff’s 1,143-minute unbeaten run. The team’s 52-year World Cup absence ended with a 2026 qualification, and today a 4-0 warm-up win over New Zealand in Fort Lauderdale revives that historic breakthrough for diaspora fans.

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Haiti Beats NZ

Haiti beat New Zealand 4-0 at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale on 3 June 2026.
The match started 30 minutes late after a lightning threat.
Ruben Providence scored in the 12th minute, followed by goals from Lenny Joseph (51'), Frantzdy Pierrot (62') and Duke Lacroix (87').
Coach Darren Bazeley made halftime substitutions while referee denied defender Tim Payne’s penalty appeal, judging goalkeeper Johny Placide to have clipped him.
Goalkeeper Johny Placide also saved shots from Chris Wood and Marko Stamenic.

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