“I think it was more difficult than I expected. Okay, you always know it’s a challenge and we knew what kind of problems there would be, but over the January period it was more difficult than expected,” he tells The Socceroo match day magazine.

During January, Verbeek held three two day camps for A-League players where he outlined his vision of how he wants the team to play.

“But we don’t think about problems – we think about solutions. And so far I think we have found all the best possible solutions,” Verbeek added.

The Dutch-born coach’s solution has been to keep his options open by calling up the bulk of the European-based Socceroo contingent in conjunction with the best of the A-League talent in a 39-man squad.

And the forthright Verbeek says training this week with his A-League talent will focus on tactics as he looks to fine-tune preparations ahead of an expected influx of Euro-Roos.

“Because A-League teams play different systems, I will spend all my time on team tactics, the strategy to beat Qatar and the way I think we have to play.”

He added: “Physically, it’s the end of the league here, so [the players] should be fine.”

Qatar meanwhile have scheduled training for tomorrow morning at a suburban ground outside Melbourne’s CBD while the Socceroos are expected to train at one of either of the main two city venues.

Check out the full interview with Pim Verbeek in The Socceroo magazine, which also has features on Archie Thompson, Harry Kewell, Leigh Broxham and Tim Cahill.

The Socceroo magazine is available on match day next Wednesday February 6 at the Qatar World Cup qualifier in Melbourne.