OXFORD United’s intelligent use of the ball was the key to beating Portsmouth, according to debutant Ricardinho.

The hosts ran out 3-0 winners, but it did not become comfortable until the latter stages, when Gino van Kessel and Josh Ruffels struck.

For Ricardinho, what United did in possession after Wes Thomas’s 47th-minute opener set up the result.

He said: “We did well, but the first half was tough.

“When we scored the first goal they tried to attack more and it created space.

“We were really smart when we had the ball and used the space on the counter-attack.”

The Brazilian admitted he would sleep like a baby on Saturday night, having got 90 minutes under his belt.

Double sessions have been needed for the 32-year-old to catch up after a late start to pre-season, but it was all worth it.

He said: “I’m so happy to come here and enjoy this game.

“I was working hard to get my chance, but I didn’t know when I was available to play.

“They told me I could play in this game so I said I’d go and do my best for the team, whether it was 45 minutes, 60 or 90.”

The defender produced an excellent display, but it began shakily and virtually his first touch of the ball was a foul throw.

When asked whether the rules were different in Azerbaijan, where he had been playing for the last two seasons, Ricardinho laughed: “No, it’s exactly the same!

“I don’t think that one was a bad one.

“I tried to put the ball to his feet to make it easy for him to turn, but the referee said it was really bad.

“So I start to understand that I had to put the ball a little bit higher and then it’s higher. It’s coming.”