Ricketts restricts Brazil to one
The South Americans totally dominated from start to finish but Ricketts continuously pulled off fine saves to restrict the Samba stars to a single goal at The Walkers Stadium.
In a totally one-sided first half Brazil threatened the Jamaican goal twice in the opening 10 minutes through Kaka and Ronaldo but Ricketts, who plies his football for Village United in Jamaica, pulled off two fine near post saves to deny the World Cup winners the lead.
Then on 14 minutes, Roberto Carlos scored a goal reminiscent of his famous free kick in Le Tournoi some years ago that had everyone on their feet applauding.
The Real Madrid defender found himself with the ball unopposed outside the box and let rip with a shot on the outside of his foot that initially looked to be heading wide before curling back in wickedly to beat the outstretched arms of Ricketts for an unforgettable goal.
Ricketts, the only domestically based player in the Jamaican side, was called into action again on the half-hour mark when he saved well at his near post to deny Brazilian captain Cafu from doubling the lead.
It took Jamaica until the 53rd minute to register a shot when Ricardo Fuller tried his luck from distance but his effort sailed well over Dida's bar.
Rivaldo had a free kick easily saved from Ricketts and Emerson went close when he was played in by Cafu on the right but Ricketts was out quick to disturb the Roma midfielder.
The busy Ricketts undoubtedly pulled off his best save though from Ronaldo, who with his back to goal, sent two would-be defenders the wrong way with a neat little drag back inside the area and looked to pass it past Ricketts but the over-worked custodian stuck out an arm to frustrate his opponents for the umpteenth time.
Lyon's Juninho Pernambucano and Roberto Carlos tested the agility of the Jamaican number one again with free kicks on 75 and 80 minutes, but Ricketts was equal to the task and kept the scoreline at a respectable 1-0.
International result:
Brazil 1-0 Jamaica
