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Published: Sunday May 31, 2009 MYT 8:49:00 AM
Updated: Sunday May 31, 2009 MYT 9:01:53 AM

Capello surprised by Rooney's nervous Rome final

LONDON: (AP) England's failure to contest a final since winning the 1966 World Cup leaves Fabio Capello with little evidence of how his players would cope if they went the distance in South Africa next year.

The coach was left examining their performances in finals like the Champions League, where Manchester United was comprehensively beaten last week by Barcelona - a side containing many of the Spaniards, notably Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta in midfield, who could confront England in a year if Capello gets his ideal World Cup final.

What Capello saw in Stadio Olimpico was his star forward Wayne Rooney suffering stage fright as he made little impact off the left flank.

"Rooney lost easy passes in Rome, incredible - he was nervous, he wanted to play different," Capello said at a round-table with reporters.

"When you have to win, sometimes the pressure is too big and when you go to the pitch it's not the same. United played for 10 minutes like United but (not) after."

With qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra in the next two weeks, Capello is confident the pain of defeat for Rooney and his England and Manchester United teammates won't hinder the national team's cause.

"It's not a problem for me because he's a very, very good player and he will play very well," Capello said.

"It's normal in a career of one player to lose and to win. For me I forgot every time when I lost. As a player I lost a final against Ajax and as a manager I lost some finals. You win, you loss - but you carry on."

Capello's one chance to see England players together in a competitive final could come next month at the European Under-21 Championship.

The Italian will be keeping a close eye on winger Theo Walcott who - much to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's irritation after an injury-reduced season - will travel to Sweden after playing for the senior wide.

For Capello, it is important the 20-year-old Walcott, who went to the 2006 World Cup but didn't play, gains experience in the junior ranks.

"I'm happy he is fit now after four months injured. I checked him in three games and he played better every time," Capello said. "He is a young player and one of the most important players in my squad.

"I also understand Arsene because he said he needed to take a holiday, but he did not play during the winter. His holiday was in the winter. He's very happy. Every game is important when you play in the shirt of the national team."

What Capello won't be granted before South Africa is a winter break for every member of his squad to split the grueling English Premier League season.

"When you arrive at the end of the season you are not fresh," Capello said.

"It is a very long season, here more than the other countries because we have one competition more (the League Cup) and in the last three or four years the most important teams, the big four, have been in the semifinals of the Champions League.

"I know that not only physically but also mentally you have to be very, very strong for this period and you spend a lot of energy."

If England wins in Kazakhstan next Saturday and against Andorra at Wembley the following Wednesday, Capello believes qualification will be effectively clinched after missing out on Euro 2008.

"If we get six points it is a very big step to South Africa," he said.

A big decision in the next week is to replace first-choice goalkeeper David James, who was injured along with understudy Ben Foster.

The choices are Robert Green or Paul Robinson, who has not appeared for England in almost two years.

Another concern was the dearth of right backs, with Capello forced to call up 34-year-old Gary Neville, who was not even in Manchester United's squad for the Champions League final and was fourth choice at the Premier League champion.

"I know that very well," Capello said. "We haven't got in England a right back. I spoke to (United's) Wes Brown in Rome and he told me he is not completely fit but he will OK for next season."

Although highly rated by predecessor Steve McClaren, Manchester City's Micah Richards, isn't rated by Capello.

"He has had some problems in his team, he has played sometimes but missed some games," Capello said. "He is young and not ready for the seniors now."

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