© Reuters 2002

OSLO, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Norway, angry at Argentina for pulling out of a scheduled friendly next month, are looking for alternative opponents but still hope to play the Argentinians.

Norway, who failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in Korea and Japan, last week asked FIFA to force the tournament favourites to play them at Oslo's Ullevaal stadium on March 27.

"We had a written agreement with Argentina, and it is neither common nor should it be possible to pull out of such an agreement," Roger Solheim, a spokesman for the Norwegian Football Association, said on Tuesday.

"We are still hoping that Argentina will come but, just in case, we are working in parallel with other alternatives," Solheim told Reuters. He declined to name other possible teams.

Solheim said FIFA had received a complaint from the Norwegian Football Association last Friday and that he expected an answer soon.

"The time is running out and we really want to play on that date," he said.

Argentina, who will meet England, Nigeria and Sweden in the so-called "group of death" at the World Cup finals starting on May 31, have been seeking friendlies against teams with similar characteristics.

They are due to play Wales in Cardiff next week and Germany in Stuttgart on April 17 to gain experience against northern European teams.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa is also looking for a match against Cameroon and cancelled the game with Norway to leave March 27 free in case he managed to organise a friendly with the Africans.

Argentina, beaten only once in 21 matches since their 0-0 draw with England at Wembley in early 2000, are the bookmakers' favourites to win the World Cup for the third time.