Becks to miss Brazil game

London, Nov. 9: David Beckham will miss England’s friendly against Brazil next week after his American club Los Angeles Galaxy beat Chivas USA in the Major League Soccer Western Conference semifinals.

Beckham was named in the England squad for Saturday’s match against Brazil, but on the proviso that he would be spared international duty if the Galaxy beat Chivas on Sunday.

The MLS Western Conference final will be played during the same weekend that England face Brazil in Qatar.

Beckham remains firmly in coach Fabio Capello’s plans ahead of the World Cup next June after securing another loan stint at AC Milan from January.

Michael Owen, who made his World Cup debut with Beckham in the 1998 tournament, looks increasingly unlikely to make it to South Africa with Capello again omitting the Manchester United striker from his 24-man squad.

Sunderland forward Darren Bent, who has made just one appearance for England since the Italian coach took charge in January 2008, has been named in the squad that will travel to the Middle East.