Overview:
Teenage goalkeeper Guvenson Jean-Philippe delivered a standout performance this week in Cap-Haïtien, denying a flurry of chances from Association Sportive Capoise to help Racing F.C. des Gonaïves earn a 0-0 draw on the second matchday of the Haitian Soccer League playoffs.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — It was a draw that felt like a victory for Racing Football Club des Gonaïves.
The youthful side, still under construction, held Association Sportive Capoise (ASC) to a 0-0 draw Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 13 at Parc Saint-Victor, surviving sustained pressure from the hosts in a Group A playoff matchup.
Racing’s 19-year-old goalkeeper, Guvenson Jean-Philippe, was the difference. He turned away a barrage of shots, including a point-blank effort late in the second half, to secure a valuable point on the road for his team.
“I feel proud,” Jean-Philippe told The Haitian Times after the match. “Coming to ASC’s home and leaving with a point without conceding means a lot. We all know what ASC represents in this league. Hard work pays off. Next game, I’ll do even better.”
Head coach Danshley Paul said Racing is a young team being built for the future, and the draw against one of Haiti’s most storied clubs could prove pivotal.
“These young players gained experience and confidence today,” Paul said. “Matches like this help shape who we want to become.”
Racing, dubbed Le Lion (The Lion), entered the playoffs after a surprising third-place finish in the regular season. However, the Gonaïves club opened the postseason with a 2-0 loss to Ouanaminthe FC 2011 on Jan. 11. ASC, which finished fourth on goal differential, won its playoff opener with a 2-1 road victory over Baltimore SC in Saint-Marc.
On Tuesday, though, goals were hard to come by despite ASC’s dominance in possession and chances.
“We created opportunities, but we couldn’t finish,” ASC midfielder Wood Francisque said after the match. “That’s frustrating. When we got in front of the goal, we lacked composure. We have to fix that in training so it doesn’t happen again.”
The other Group A match between Ouanaminthe and Baltimore was postponed to Jan. 15 due to an issue along Route Nationale No. 1, according to the Haitian Football Federation (FHF).
In Group B action, Juventus des Cayes and Violette AC also played to a scoreless draw at Land des Gabions in Les Cayes, while Cavaly AS de Léogâne and Racing Club Haïtien drew 1-1 at Parc Gérard Christophe in Léogâne.
Playoff action resumes Sunday, Jan. 18. Racing F.C. will host Baltimore at Parc Vincent in Gonaïves, while ASC— known as Le Vieux Coq Capois (Cap-Haïtien old roosters)— looks to bounce back at home against Ouanaminthe at Parc Saint-Victor.
“We’re motivated because we know we’re not at our best yet,” Francisque said. “Today was frustrating, but that makes us even more determined to respond in the next match.”
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