Media members immediately converged on Hernan Dario Gomez even before the recently hired Guatemala coach could approach his counterpart, Carlo Marcelin, for a postgame handshake.
Gomez's words will seem gospel in Guatemala -- a nation that has never qualified for a World Cup.
And reporters certainly sought Gomez's reaction after his debut with Guatemala on Wednesday night at Tropical Park.
Guatemala, however, could not give Gomez an immediate victory and settled for a 1-1 tie in front of around 5,000 fans.
''It is still too early, and we have a very young team,'' said Gomez, who led Colombia and Ecuador to berths in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, respectively. ``We are in the very first stages of knowing each other.''
Still, Guatemala followers hope Gomez also can work wonders with a side that has never qualified for the World Cup.
Guatemala struck first, as Miami FC forward Mario Rodriguez delighted local followers with the game's opening goal in the 57th minute.
Rodriguez raced unmarked toward the Haiti goal area and eventually converted a shot that beat Haiti goalkeeper Fenelon Gabbart.
But Haiti's Jamps Dorcelus answered with a game-tying goal two minutes later.
Guatemala goalkeeper Luis Pedro Molina, who entered the match in the 46th minute, could not stop Dorcelus' 18-yard blast.
Guatemala nearly scored a game-winner in the 83rd minute when Jose Contreras' 12-yard shot was stopped by Gabbart.
Like Guatemala, Haiti introduced a new coach Wednesday, with Marcelin's debut with the national team. Marcelin previously worked as a Haiti assistant coach.
``We have a lot of work still to do, and a couple of our top players are with their clubs in Europe,`` Marcelin said. ``I was pleased that we were able to respond after Guatemala scored their goal.''
Guatemala fans expecting a quick offensive outburst instead found dominating play during most of the first half.
Pierre Richard Bruny missed wide left with a free kick four minutes into the match, and Turlien Rumulus' indirect free kick from 35 yards was stopped by Guatemala goalkeeper Ricardo Trigueno in the ninth minute.
Guatemala's Guillermo Ramirez nearly broke the scoreless draw in the 18th minute, when he ran deep into the left wing far into the Haiti goal area and took a shot deflected by Gabbart.
From Miamiherald....
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08-15-06, 08:34 PM
Haiti National Team arrives in Miami to play Guatemala on Wednesday August 18th
The young "Grenadiers" qualified for the 1/4 final of the CFU cup in Trinidad
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