The Socceroos will be in mothballs until at least February 2004 after an opponent couldn't be found for a proposed November international.

The Australian Soccer Association had been in negotiations with several European nations about fixtures on November 15 and 19, dates set aside for internationals by the game's governing body FIFA.

The ASA spoke to some leading European nations, among them teams which had already qualified for next year's European Championship.

ASA's first option had been to bring out a European nation to Australia for one or two games.

The second option was to try to arrange a fixture in Europe for Australia, where most of the leading Socceroos ply their trade.

ASA spokesperson Gary Moretti said his organisation could not begin negotiations until after the European Championship qualifiers concluded in mid October, but was unable to secure an opponent in the short intervening period.

"The Australian Soccer Association was unable to negotiate an international match for the Socceroos for the November 15 and 19 international dates," Moretti said.

"Despite our best endeavours we were unable to secure an opponent to travel to Australia in the middle of the European season."

Moretti said negotiations had started with some European nations to play matches against the Socceroos in the first half of next year.

He said the ASA hoped to announce its Socceroos schedule for the first half of 2004 by the end of this year.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP