The Senior A National Selection (Grenadiers), will play its first friendly match of 2011 in San Salvador against the national team of El Salvador (La Selecta) the February 9, 2011 in the framework of the International FIFA day. This is the first release of Haiti for this new year. The players and coaching staff will leave Haiti on February 7, while the selected expatriates, will be gathered in Madrid to fly directly to San Salvador.

Before this meeting, the two teams met 23 times. Record: 11 wins and 32 goals against El Salvador for 5 wins and 16 goals for Haiti and 7 draws. The first confrontation between the two teams dating back to February 25, 1950 in Guatemala City in a friendly international match, and last, October 11, 2008 in Port-au-Prince in the qualifiers for the World Cup 2010.

In the latest world ranking of The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) published on 11 January, Haiti occupies the 90th place with (358) points and is 10th in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football), while El Salvador is the 116th spot with (251) points and is 15 th in our area.

This meeting will be the 2nd in the preparation of the Grenadier (1st game on Nov. 17, victory over Qatar in Doha 0-1) for the playoffs for the 2014 World Cup which begins Aug. 9, 2011. For this next edition the FIFA, on a proposal from CONCACAF, has radically changed the playoff format, which from the start, will be played according to geographical groups with match leg and back.

If the formula allows play more matches, it has assimilated a "marathon" with a growing number of matches that lasted over two and a half years. These playoffs will require significant financial resources and intense preparation during the six (6) months that separate us from the beginning of the championship, so the national team in full rebuilding, may be at its best. So that the national selection increases its chances the Federal Bureau hopes to play many matches in the next 6 months to reach one of the first 8 places in the CONCACAF and being at the top of series at the time of the draw. The FHF wish that the national team has sufficient financial resources to play regularly at the FIFA dates.

Edson Tavares, the National Coach of the Grenadier, proposed to the FHF, the recruitment of professional coach, Mr. Dominique Fernandez, who will monitor and supervise the players based in Europe to ensure of their regular form. For this meeting, Edson Tabares provided a list of eighteen players. The return of Jean Jacques Pierre near the Grenadier (red and blue) is the only surprise of this group.

Goalkeepers:
1. Peterson Occenat - Aigle Noir, Haïti
2. Dominique Jean Zephirin Farnborough FC, Angleterre

Defenders:
3. Frantz Bertin OFI Crete, Grèce
4. Jean Jacques Pierre Nantes, France
5. Jean Sony Alcenat Leixoes Sport Club, Portugal
6. Judelin Aveska Independiente, Argentine
7. Lesly Fellinga Harkemase Boys, Hollande
8. Mackenzie Tempête, Haiti

Midfielders :
9. Peterson Joseph SC Braga, Portugal
10. Kenel Pierre Louis Vannes Olympique Club, France
11. Jean Mark Alexandre Realt Salt Lake, USA
12. Brunel Fucien Aiglon Lamentin, Martinique
13. Max Hilaire Aviron Bayonnais F.C., France
14. Charles Hérold Junior Tempête, Haïti
15. Constant Monuma ASCAR, Haiti

Forwards :
16. Darlin Thoby Racing Club Haitien, Haiti
17. Paul Valdano Tempête, Haïti
18. Sony Norde San Luis Potosi, Mexique

Article by BF/ HaitiLibre / FHF