After a 4-1 victory over Curacao at Hampden last weekend, Steve Clarke and his Scotland players have been training in Florida this week, acclimatising to American conditions. Preparing for their first World Cup in 28 years, Clarke's side will travel to New Jersey for their final warm-up match against Bolivia on Saturday night.
Then it is all systems go as they face Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in Group C, aiming to become the first Scotland team to reach the knockout stages of a major finals. When the draw was made in December, the opening match against Haiti appeared to offer a gentle start, given Haiti's low ranking. Many believed Haiti represented an ideal opportunity for a winning start.
That sentiment may still prevail among supporters. If Scotland are to progress, taking three points is imperative. However, despite Haiti's underdog status, nobody should assume Scotland will cruise to an easy victory in Boston next weekend. Any such theory looks misguided after Haiti's emphatic 4-0 win over New Zealand in Miami on Tuesday night.
Context matters: New Zealand, ranked 85th, are three places below Haiti (82nd), with Curacao at 83rd. This was no meaningless friendly for New Zealand, who are preparing for their own World Cup campaign against Belgium, Egypt, and Iran in Group G. The Kiwis started with Motherwell's Elijah Just and Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood, but were comprehensively beaten by a Haiti side with four different goalscorers and a dangerous attack.
Haiti took the lead on 12 minutes when Ruben Providence dribbled through and chipped the goalkeeper. Sunderland's Wilson Isidor impressed with his strength and link-up play. New Zealand had chances, particularly late in the first half, with Wood and Just prominent. They were aided by shaky goalkeeping from Haiti's veteran Johny Placide, who looked unconvincing. Scotland's Ryan Christie, John McGinn, and Scott McTominay should consider shooting on sight.
Haiti's defence appeared vulnerable; the clean sheet owed more to New Zealand's wastefulness. But in attack, they were sharp, similar to how Curacao troubled Scotland before going down to ten men. Haiti went 2-0 up shortly after half-time when Ferencvaros forward Lenny Joseph shrugged off defenders and slotted home. Frantzdy Pierrot added a header for 3-0, and Markhus Duke Lacroix curled in a superb finish from the edge of the box to complete the rout.
Watching from the stands, Clarke and his staff will have much to consider as they devise a plan to beat Haiti. This team, despite their low ranking, should not be viewed as group whipping boys. While the defence and goalkeeper were unconvincing, Haiti are slick and dangerous in attack, with excellent finishing. Write them off at your peril.
Haiti are determined to defy the odds. Defender Ricardo Ade said: 'One of the characteristics of a Haitian is knowing that life itself is a fight. That's the life of my people. Haiti has always had to fight and it won't be any different at the World Cup. The most important thing was getting to the World Cup. Once you're there, any group is difficult. We're in a very tough group, but we have ways of inflicting damage. It's a process, and we'll take it step by step.'
Scotland will have a fight on their hands in Boston next weekend. They will be favourites, but they must work hard and earn victory against a Haiti side with enough skill and flair to cause a shock.
