Verbeek said yesterday just how hard it had been to crush the World Cup dream for players like the Glory's Mile Sterjovski, Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne.

Verbeek said they were just three of 12 players whose hopes of heading to South Africa in June were dashed, after they missed selection in the Dutchman's 30-man provisional squad, that is still to be cut down to 23.

"I know how important it is to go to the World Cup and I know they were probably devastated when I made those calls," Verbeek said.

"I had to call 12 players ... these three (Sterjovski, Burns and Coyne) they played a lot of games for the Socceroos.

"They've played important games, so they were responsible for the fact that we are going to the World Cup and they are not there.

"You can easily say 'It's your job, who cares', but I worked with those players for two-and-a-half years, they did everything, they even spent their own money and time to fly to England," he added, referring to Burns and Sterjovski's last-ditch attempt to be match fit for the World Cup by training with Premier League clubs Fulham and Blackburn.

"For Mile and for Jake, they spent money on the airplane, they spent money for a hotel, they were away from the family for four or five weeks, just to give themselves a chance to go there.

"And the only thing that they can do now is to look in the mirror and say 'I've tried everything and that stupid guy from the Netherlands ...'

"They didn't say that because they acted very professionally, but I can understand that they're not happy with it. It was not one of my best weekends, I promise you.

"But selection is part of the job and I did my job and I also look in the mirror and look for myself, saying 'Was this the right decision?'

"And I said 'yeah'."

Despite admitting to taking a 'gamble' on star striker Harry Kewell's fitness after the Galatasaray man suffered a terrible year so far with a groin injury, Verbeek said the rest of his selection was based around form and team structure.

And the Socceroos boss said he could not afford to select players who were not at the top of their game at this present moment.

He added: "When I made those calls, (I had to say) 'Sorry, in your position I have better players'.

"In my team, it's not about age or where they have come from or what they have done in the past. It's about this moment and the upcoming World Cup in four weeks.

"This is the biggest tournament in the world for the football players, for the coaches.

"There's only 32 coaches at this event and I am one of them, so of course I am proud and happy, especially because I have such an interesting team around me."

Despite being already in preparation mode for next week's friendly clash with New Zealand, where his fringe players will get their last chance to impress, Verbeek said he was happy to assist Parkerville's work and its building of an advocacy centre that offers immediate support for abused children.

"I think this is a fantastic foundation, a fantastic project and I'm more than happy to be here and spend time and energy for the people over here," Verbeek said.

"And, I hope they will enjoy my stay over here and I will tell them some nice stories."