Haiti, which is playing in the first Women’s World Cup in its history, does not intend to make up the numbers even in a complicated Group D including England. The country will count on its striker Melchie Dumornay, freshly transferred to Olympique Lyonnais, to achieve an exploit.
Nearly 50 years after the men qualified for their first and only World Cup in 1974, the Haitian players will also discover the World Cup. On Saturday, they will face England, the reigning European champion.
A hell of a piece to start with, but one that doesn’t seem to frighten Melchie Dumornay and her family, who arrive with the pride of having won an invitation. “We worked hard for years to achieve this goal,” said the Haitian striker a few weeks ago during the Unfp Trophies. We are very proud to be able to get to this point. It is not an end in itself. We must continue to move forward and pass this first round, it is our priority, because it is our first World Cup. We will continue to train hard to prepare for this first decisive match against a great nation, England. We want to put in good performances over the three matches. »
Dumornay, star in the making
After England, China and Denmark will rise. The feat is however within reach for the Haitian women who have come from far away, from the dams, to earn the right to be present in Australia and New Zealand. Last February, the players of Nicolas Délépine, the French coach, had to show character to dismiss Senegal (4-0) then Chile (2-1) in the play-offs.
Today, the threat is greater in this group D. “Getting through the first round, we know it won’t be easy,” believes Melchie Dumornay. We have tough opponents, we will continue to work to improve, because we have a good group. We’ve been playing together for a long time, we know each other very well. We will continue to progress thanks to the contribution of experienced players who push us upwards. »
Even if she doesn’t say it, Melchie Dumornay knows that her selection will rely a lot on the one who was named in the categories of best hope and best player in the First Division during the last UNFP Trophies ceremony. The now ex-Reims player, who signed for Lyon, a juggernaut in France and Europe, remains the hope of an entire people at 19 years old. The efficient midfielder or striker (23 goals in 39 matches with Reims) is heralded as one of the future stars of women’s football. She could well start writing her legend this Saturday against the English.
RFI
