Brazil scrape past brave Jamaica

(www.abc-sport.com) (Pics: AP Photo/PA, Nick Potts)
Brazil's World Cup winners had to rely on an early thunderbolt from Roberto Carlos to gain a narrow 1-0 win over a spirited Jamaica at Leicester City's stadium on Sunday.
Jamaica's Ricardo Gardner, who plays for Bolton Wanderers in the English Premiership, almost snatched a late equaliser but his fierce shot was held by Brazil goalkeeper Dida in the 86th minute.
The much-anticipated friendly was played in Europe where the bulk of the players are based - the same scenario which saw Australia defeat Jamaica 2-1 in a friendly last month.

Burton vs R. Carlos (Pic: www.yahoo.com)

The match began amid a carnival atmosphere as Jamaica's famously colourful fans attempted to drown out Brazilian cheers in the capacity 32,000 crowd.
But it was the world champions who gave their supporters the most to shout about as they dominated the opening exchanges.
Bayern Munich's Ze Roberto shot wide after four minutes and his effort was followed by a stinging drive from AC Milan's Kaka which Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts did well to keep out.
Ronaldo missed a good chance soon afterwards from 10 yards out before Brazil took a deserved lead after 15 minutes.
Roberto Carlos, Real Madrid's rampaging defender, cut in from the left wing and unleashed a wickedly curving shot with the outside of his left boot which crept inside the far post.
It was a strike reminiscent of the left-back's famous inswinging free-kick against France in the 1997 Tournoi de France, an outrageous effort which became his trademark.

Lucio vs Fuller (Pic: www.yahoo.com)

Jamaica almost equalised two minutes later when Cardiff City's Richard Langley swung a free-kick from the left just over the Brazilian bar which had goalkeeper Dida struggling.
Ronaldo spurned two more presentable opportunities after 28 and 38 minutes as Brazil dominated the possession and Ricketts was kept busy in Jamaica's goal.
Brazil's relentless waves of attacking football continued after the break as Kaka and Ze Roberto bossed the midfield.
Rivaldo's 59th minute free-kick from the right was well-saved by a sprawling Ricketts and Ronaldo almost opened his account after 71 minutes when his delightful drag-back and shot was again stopped by the impressive Ricketts.
Brazil continued to push forward with the Middlesbrough's diminutive Juninho Paulista tormenting the Jamaica defence and the world champions' rising star Adriano coming on for Rivaldo.
But they failed to add to Carlos's early strike and a battling Jamaica side were unfortunate to lose this pulsating encounter.

Whitmore vs Juninho (Pic: www.yahoo.com)

JAMAICA: Donovan Ricketts, Frank Sinclair, Claude Davis (63.Min.Damion Stewart), Tyrone Marshall (77.Min.Gerald Neill), Ricardo Gardner, Craig Ziadie, Jamie Lawrence (71.Min.Shane Crawford), Theodore Whitmore, Richard Langley (77.Min.Fabian Taylor), Ricardo Fuller (68.Min.Andy Williams), Deon Burton (41.Min.Damani Ralph)

BRASIL: Dida, Cafu, Lucio (68.Edmilson), Roque Junior, Gilberto Silva, Roberto Carlos, Kaka (68.Min.Juninho), Emerson (68.Min.Juninho Pernambucano), Ronaldo, Rivaldo (77.Min.Adriano), Ze Roberto

Best Players: Donovan Ricketts & Roberto Carlos