Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

Jamaica's Jamal Campbell-Ryce played well in spurts. - file

A Rob Friend goal in the 42nd minute gave Canada a 1-0 win over Jamaica in their international friendly at the Claude Robillard Complex in Montreal yesterday.

Canada, playing their first game in Montreal in over 11 years, turned in a workman-like performance on their Labour Day for a deserved win.

The Maple Leaf Boys improved their head-to-head clash with the Reggae Boyz to six wins, five draws and one defeat dating back to 1985.

The red and white-clad home team scored the winner when the tall Friend rose high to head home a right-sided cross minutes before half time.

Goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers, charged off his line to intercept the cross, but was not even close, allowing Friend to head into an empty goal from the edge of the box.

Jamaica, under interim coach, Carl Brown, turned in a tepid performance lacking verve and the Boyz showed that several changes will be necessary for the return game on October 8 in Kingston.

Brown started with Teafore Bennett and Kevin Lamey, last season premier league's Most Valuable Player, upfront and paired the twin towers of Oneil Thompson and Khari Stephenson in central midfield.

Senior cap

The wily Demar Phillips, earning his first senior cap, started on the left of the midfield with Jamal Campbell-Ryce who impressed in spurts starting on the right.

Damion Stewart partnered Jermaine Taylor at the heart of the defence with Garfield Reid and captain Fabian Davis the full backs.

But the 74th-ranked Reggae Boyz were no match for the more experienced Canada ranked eight places below at 82.

The likes of Paul Stalteri, Josh Simpson, Julian de Cuzman, Thomas Radzinki, Marco Rada, Friend and Chris Poznisk proved too much for the Reggae Boyz, especially in midfield.

Canada missed a glorious chance to open the scoring early but Friend spooned his shot over the bar from close range with only the goalkeeper to beat.

A couple more half chances went their way before finally getting the winning goal three minutes before the interval.

Jamaica came out more purposeful in the second half but still gave Canada little to worry about except for a long-range powerhouse shot from Thompson that deflected off the Canadian goalkeeper. Bennett tapped in the rebound but he was ruled offside.

Substitute Omar Daley, provided a moment of individual brilliance, beating four players to set up Bennett with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Bennett's tame shot was blocked.

The Reggae Boyz will return home and prepare for the Digicel Caribbean Cup tournament before hosting Canada on October 8 at the National Stadium.