Just a few weeks ago Duckens Nazon was just another football player. A former Lorient youth academy product, Nazon has had a respectable football career playing in Europe with little notoriety in his home country of Haiti. It is amazing what a goal will to boost one’s Facebook friends . In the opening match of the 2015 Gold Cup in Dallas, Texas, Nazon gave Haiti the tying goal late to shock Panama 1-1.
Midfielder Alberto Quintero gave Panama the lead in the 56th minute with a chip shot off of the inside of his left foot. His opportunity was assisted by forward Blas Perez who placed the ball near a surging a Quintero. After Haitian forward Kervens Fils failed to make the clear, Quintero found himself with space to capitalize. The goal was his fourth for Panama.
Nazon would answer in the 82nd minute though with a daring run down the right flank of the Panama defense. With Panama playing a high defensive line it left them susceptible to counter-attacks by Haiti. Haitian midfielder Jeff Louis nearly levelled the score in the 62nd minute with a long distance strike. However his opportunity was saved by Panamanian goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. But it was Norde’s run late and brilliant strike past Penedo that would prove to be the difference-maker in the match. The goal was his second for the Haitian national team.
With the draw both Haiti and Panama stand level in Group A. Both sides will play again on Friday night at Gillette Stadium in Foxbrough, Massachusetts with Haiti taking on the United States and Panama playing Honduras.
