Brisbane Roar shut door on Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill The Socceroos have collapsed to a late defeat against Romania in their international friendly in Spain, surrendering a 2-1 lead with ten minutes remaining to lose 3-2. Lucas Neill celebrates a goal with Socceroos teammates against Romania in Malaga, Spain. BRISBANE Roar have closed the door on Lucas Neill, cutting the odds of the Socceroos captain returning to the A-League. Neill, who led the Socceroos in their 3-2 friendly loss to Romania yesterday, is poised to be released by his Dubai-based club Al Wasl. The 34-year-old central defender is understood to be open to the idea of playing in the A-League, on the proviso it is for a club contesting this year's AFC Champions League. Central Coast are guaranteed a spot in the group stages of the competition, while the Roar need a win in Wednesday's qualifier against Buriram United in Thailand to be certain of playing until May. Despite speculation Neill's services had already been floated to Roar officials, Brisbane coach Mike Mulvey hosed down hopes the former Blackburn, West Ham, Everton and Galatasaray defender would join the club. "Lucas Neill is the captain of the Socceroos and a fine player, but we've not made any approach or been approached with regards to the situation," said Mulvey, who was adamant that the Roar had ended their recruiting with last week's arrival of loan signing, Dutch playmaker Stef Nijland. There are no legs in this whatsoever. Our transfer dealings were done once we signed Stef Nijland. Any speculation (about Neill) is just pure speculation from other people. Neill was reluctant to discuss his club future when asked after yesterday's loss. "I can't say too much because I'm still in a contractual situation with Al Wasl and I have to respect that and stay tight-lipped," Neill told The World Game website. There has to be some confidentiality about what could happen in the future, but I am confident that things won't be far away from a positive outcome. I can't say whether I will see the rest of the season out with the club or not. Neill was disappointed with the loss to Romania, but said there were positives to come out of the performance. Having gone behind 1-0, Australia led 2-1 courtesy of a Luke Wilkshire penalty and defender Robbie Cornthwaite's strike. Late goals to Bogdan Stancu and Gabriel Torje secured Romania a win. Neill will miss Australia's World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney on March 26 through suspension. "There was a lot of game time (against Romania) for a lot of boys who perhaps needed it or wanted to show that they want to be involved in the next game, and that's good," Neill said. There are some players that will be missing, me being one of them, which gives someone else the opportunity to come in and stake a claim.