the word

Seems that oil weren’t the only reserves in Quatar over the weekend as slick Brazil helped discover England’s non-essentials.

One-nil to Brazil, a score line that entirely flattered England.

Many were viewing this game as a major opportunity for those on the edge to stake their claim in Fabio Capello’s final 23. But for the majority rather than demonstrate they were good enough they simply confirmed they weren’t.

With the obvious exceptions of Wayne Rooney, Gareth Barry, James Milner and Aaron Lennon who are pretty much definites, it seemed that the only ones to really benefit from this fixture were the ones who didn’t take part.

Furthermore, for the likes of cusp players such as Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott , Wayne Bridge and Jemaine Jenas this game might just have pushed them over the edge and out of Cappello’s thoughts.

David Beckham couldn’t demonstrate his worth in this friendly due to his LA Galaxy commitments, but he didn’t need to because Shawn Wright-Phillips practically stepped aside with his poor display on the right. The Manchester City player might as well hand deliver his England jersey to Beckham’s door with some flowers and a plane ticket to Cape Town.

For Darren Bent, whilst his form of late domestically has taken an upturn, this was another failed audition at International level and another player who the England manager probably struck off his list. Again this questions whether the door maybe slightly ajar for the return of Michael Owen to the nest.

The goalkeeping situation at present is simply baffling. The nations current first choice goalkeeper is third in line at his club and is unlikely to be in favour in the near future after a series of high profile errors. What is apparent after defeat to Brazil and some questionable positioning is the immediate need for Ben Foster to gain paramount first-team football. Regardless, he will probably still be heading to South Africa.

England lost the game and put on a poor display but this was not a wasted trip, far from it. This was in fact an essential advancement in Capello’s sifting process as he attempts to remove the unwanted articles from the desired.

Whilst Rooney described it as ‘disappointing’, realistically what would be more disappointing is if the less apt perimeter players slipped through the net and feature in England’s squad next summer. The weakened line up and subsequent lack lustre display served great purpose in taking steps towards the final cut.

Realistically less than a handful of the team that made the trip to Doha will feature significantly in South Africa 2010. The ones that do will be heavily supported by a stronger network of genuine first team players around them, so at present there is no need to be alarmed.

Saying that, what is worrying is the sheer number of injuries and a desperate need for the likes of David James, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Owen Hargreaves and Jemaine Defoe to be fully fit. Although even if that is the case by next summer, i’m unsure of England’s ability to match both technically and physically the likes of Brazil and Spain, but I would love to be wrong.