Haiti's World Cup debut against all odds 'more than just football'
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When Haiti play England in Brisbane on their Women's World Cupdebut this month it will mark the culmination of a long and arduous journey against adversity.
While many teams in women's football fight for recognition and resources, the Haitians have had to overcome the additional challenges that have afflicted the Caribbean nation.
Haiti is the Western Hemisphere's poorest country and for years been mired in a vicious cycle of chronic political, humanitarian, economic and health crises.
Add in brutal gang violence, and the United Nations' top human rights official earlier this year described Haiti's multiple problems as a «living nightmare».
Against such a backdrop, the team were forced to hold their training camps and home games in neighbouring Dominican Republic.
And yet, amidst all this, Haiti beat Chile in a playoff in New Zealand in February to qualify for the WorldCup for the first time.
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Football«We just put our head down and worked and tried not to worry about all the outside factors,» midfielder Milan Pierre-Jerome told the Miami Herald.
«Yes it's been more difficult for us compared to teams in other countries, but knowing that no matter the circumstances, no matter what challenges we face, we still have 11 players on the field, one soccer ball and we all play with cleats.
»That's what held us together."
Haiti are in Group D at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand alongside China, Denmark and European champions England.
They face England in their opener on July 22.
'Special Dumornay'The nucleus of the team emerged in 2018, when Haiti qualified for the Under-20 Women's World
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