AP
Brazil's Elaine Moura heads the ball as Jamaica's Venecia Reid watches during their first-round match at the Pan American Games at the Joao Havelange stadium in Rio de Janeiro yesterday.

Elton Tucker, Assistant Sport Editor

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil:

BRAZIL, INSPIRED by Swedish-based star Marta Silva, drubbed Jamaica's Reggae Girlz 5-0 in a Pan American Games Group A women's match at the Jaoa Havelange Stadium yesterday.

Marta, who mesmerised the Jamaican players with numerous dribbles and deft touches, set up the first and third goals for Katia Celine, then scored the fourth from the penalty spot. Daniela Alves and substitute Cristiane Silva got the other goals.

Brazil moved to the top of the group with six points from two games, followed by Canada with three from one. Jamaica are on three points from two matches. In another women's football result in the group yesterday, Canada whipped Uruguay 7-0.

Showed top 10 class

Jamaica's women's coach Charles Edwards admitted after the game that the Brazilians were far superior.

"I think the Brazilians played an exceptional game. This was really a top-class team. They are in the top 10 and they showed why they are in the top 10. What we have to do is not get dejected but to look at the standard and look at what we have to meet if we want to compete at the international level," Edwards said.

The Jamaican coach added that some regrouping needed to be done quickly for the next game against Uruguay tomorrow, as several players were suffering from injuries. Defender Julie Fearon has a groin injury, while Cristina Murray and Tashana Vincent have knee problems.

It was virtual one-way traffic for much of the game. The slick-moving Brazilians showed a great deal of composure on and off the ball forcing Jamaica's Girlz into a number of hurried clearances and bad tackles early in the match. The referee flashed his card three times during the first half, all at Jamaican players. Murray was cautioned in the 16th minute, Venecia Reid in the 27th and Hishamar Falconer three minutes later.

But for bad shooting and at least two brilliant stops from Paula Jackson, the 2-0 scoreline could have been double at the break.

Brazil went ahead in the ninth minute. Goalkeeper Jackson fumbled what seemed an innocuous cross from Silva and Celine tapped into an empty net.

Goal number two came in the 23rd minute courtesy of a brilliant free-kick by Alves from 18 yards out. Alves, in true Brazilian style, got up from a foul and placed a right-footed curler inside the near post, leaving goalkeeper Jackson a mere spectator.

After the second goal Alves, Elaine Moura and Katia Celine all had glorious chances to add to the score. Alves' shot from inside the box was well saved by Jackson, Moura's went high, while a header from Renata Costa hit the crossbar before going out of play.

Kept up pressure

Brazil kept the pressure on in the second half as Jamaican defenders Falconer and Fearon and midfielder Diana Hue, backed by forward Tashana Vincent, worked hard to keep the home team at bay.

In the 52nd minute, Brazil made it 3-0 when Marta Silva rushed down the left, dragged three defenders out of position and crossed to the centre where Celine slid the ball under Jackson.

Thirteen minutes later, a clumsy tackle by Fearon in the box resulted in a penalty which Marta Silva easily converted.

The scoring was completed from the spot when Celine broke clear and was brought down by goalkeeper Jackson. Substitute Cristiane Silva, much to the delight of the more than 10,500 spectators, beat a flat-footed Jamaican goalkeeper.

Jamaica's men go into action today for the first time. They face Colombia in a Group C match at 3:30 local time (1:30 Ja time).

In one badminton singles match completed at press time last night Jamaica's John Martin was beaten 21-11, 21-6 in 18 minutes by Mexico's Jose Luis Gonzalez.

In action today