CAPELLO LEARNS FROM BRAZIL DEFEAT

FABIO CAPELLO insists England have to toughen up or blow their dreams of winning the World Cup.

Capello's injury-hit reserves were given a footballing lesson by five-times world champions Brazil in oil-rich Qatar last night.

And the England coach admitted: "I learnt a lot.

"Brazil are a good team technically, they are fast and they are physically strong.

"It was not easy one to one. We need to be 100 per cent physically against such a team.

"I always felt it would be a difficult game. But it was interesting for me as I decide the 23 names for our squad in South Africa.

"I have learnt the value of some of the players. This Brazil team is very good, but our first-choice XI will be better."

The Samba stars demonstrated their class with a composed victory.

England were undone by a 47th-minute Nilmar header, while Luis Fabiano also missed a second-half penalty.

Capello's squad had already been decimated by the absence of David James, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott and Emile Heskey.

But the Italian coach was forced to further reorganise when skipper John Terry lost his battle to recover from an Achilles problem and midfielder Michael Carrick was ruled out with an ankle injury.

ROONEY: Felt Brazil were better side

It meant Wayne Rooney was handed the captain's armband for the first time and the Manchester United striker and Gareth Barry were the only first-choice players in the starting XI.

In contrast, Brazil were virtually at full strength.

And Capello added: "I thought we started the game well but after Brazil scored we lost our position and some confidence.

"We played too slow when we had the ball. This was a really important lesson.

"Brazil were more used to the weather conditions, but this is not an excuse.

"In my opinion they are the best team in the world - technically and physically.

"Tonight I think we played the best team in the world, and Brazilian coach Dunga's first choice XI as well.

"They are the best team we have played under me, I think.

"I was happy enough with our first-half performance, but after the goal I felt we lost our shape on the pitch a bit.

"Still, I learned things tonight. I understand the value of some players against this sort of team better now - but I will not single out players.

"There are a lot of quality players in England and I know this."

England have not beaten Brazil since a Gary Lineker goal gave the Three Lions a 1-0 win at the old Wembley 19 years ago.

And it could have been worse in Doha if keeper Ben Foster had been sent off by Qatar referee Abdullah Abdou after bringing down goalscorer Nilmar following a mistake by Wes Brown, who had attempted to chest the ball back to the stopper.

Fortunate

Fabiano blasted the resulting penalty high over the bar but Manchester United keeper Foster admitted he was fortunate not be shown the red card.

He said: "I think I was lucky to stay on the pitch," confessed Foster, who received just a yellow.

"I expected the red card. But there were a couple of strange decisions in the game - I thought Rooney was unlucky with an incident in the first half but I thought I was a goner there.

"It was a tough match. The conditions, the weather - it was so hot.

"They had a lot more of the play and chances but I felt we gave a good account of ourselves, given it was a depleted squad.

"I thought, generally, the lads did quite well."

The goal that decided the game came just two minutes after the break.

Nilmar outpaced United defender Wes Brown to meet Elano's through ball and then nudged it past Foster's dive.

The keeper added: "I thought it was a good goal, to be honest - a great ball over the top.

"They had a little bit more in their legs.

"I wouldn't say Wes Brown switched off, I thought it was a good run between two players and he got a good head on it."

England stand-in skipper Rooney was gutted at the defeat, admitting: "We were disappointed with the goal and the result. Brazil were the better team, they deserved to win. But we are better than what we showed tonight. Thankfully, it was only a friendly."

Experiment

When the real business starts in South Africa next summer, Capello should have his first-choice stars back.

And he also plans to experiment with Gerrard playing "in the hole" in the next warm-up games.

The England chief has played Gerrard left midfield throughout the successful qualification campaign.

Although Gerrard missed yesterday's friendly with a nagging groin injury, Capello may use a friendly date next March to trial him in the No 10 role.

Gerrard has played in the position with varying degrees of success for both club and country.

He formed a formidable partnership with Kop striker Fernando Torres last season but he has always maintained he is not comfortable with the position.

Chelsea star Joe Cole's return from injury has also opened up the possibility of him playing left midfield. Cole missed out on the squad for Brazil but is firmly in Capello's plans.

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