THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON -- While the absence of so many key players gave coach Fabio Capello a reason for England's 1-0 loss to Brazil, the game exposed the lack of depth he will have to contend with when he picks his World Cup squad.
Of his regular starting lineup, only Wayne Rooney and Gareth Barry were on the field in Doha against a Brazil side which missed a penalty and could easily have won 3-0.
While the absences could provide a good excuse for the defeat, the England performance suggests to Capello that the players who will back up the likes of Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, aren't good enough.
"I learned some things," said Capello, who now has four months of national team inactivity to contemplate the situation. "I understand the value of some players against this sort of team better now, but I will not single out players."
With nine regulars missing -- including David Beckham who was helping the Los Angeles Galaxy reach the MLS Cup final -- Capello tried striker Darren Bent alongside Rooney, who was captain for the first time. Bent had only 11 touches and made little impact.
Capello's goalkeeper and entire defensive line was made up of players who almost certainly won't start at next year's World Cup in South Africa but will probably make the squad.
That means they will see action if the first-choice players get injured or suspended.
His starting lineup has shown in qualifying -- nine wins in 10 games -- that it is capable of beating anyone. But Capello will know by now that only Theo Walcott and Joe Cole have the talent to break into the starting lineup without making it weaker.
Feeble defending allowed Nilmar to run between two defenders and head the only goal of the game in Doha and, when he got through again, he was crudely brought down by goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Defender Lucio also hit the post and Brazil's combination of guile and defensive strength made sure there was only going to be one winner.
"I think we played against a Brazil team who have the best eleven in the world," said Capello, whose team lost 2-0 to European champion Spain and 1-0 to France but drew 2-2 with the Netherlands and beat Germany 2-1, all in friendlies. "My first XI will be better than this one. But I found a lot of things positive."
Capello already knows that veteran goalkeeper David James remains his first choice even though he tends to pick up lingering injuries and turns 40 just after the World Cup. Foster and Robert Green are the leading backup 'keepers at a time when English goalkeeping, the envy of the world in the days of Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton, appears to be at its lowest ebb.
Wes Brown's error-strewn performance against Brazil suggests he will be lucky to go to the World Cup. Centrebacks Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott probably will go to South Africa and will be aware that Ferdinand's career appears in jeopardy because of injuries he's struggling to shake off.
Wingers Shaun Wright-Phillips and James Milner seem sure to go, especially with Milner able to play as a backup leftback. But Wright-Phillips lacks consistency and will be competing for the right-side position along with Aaron Lennon and Beckham.
Capello appears to be struggling to find the right strike partner for Rooney.
Emile Heskey seems to be his first choice but he has lost his starting place in Aston Villa's lineup and the same applies to Peter Crouch at Tottenham. Jermain Defoe seems sure to go but Capello prefers to use him off the bench.
Carlton Cole and Gabriel Agbonlahor are popular with Capello but appear to be on the fringe of the squad.
Michael Owen's sporadic performances for Manchester United won't be enough to capture a place in his fourth World Cup and Bent has only an outside chance after failing to make an impact against Brazil on Saturday.
