Only Archie Thompson has made the 35-strong party ahead of the Qatar World Cup qualifier.

Pondeljak, preparing for this weekend's A-League clash with cellar dweller Perth Glory, told au.fourfourtwo.com: "I'm a bit surprised not to see a few more of the boys in there.

"I don't think the likes of Rody Vargas, Michael Thwaite and Danny Allsopp can have been too far away.

"But if we can continue to build on the start we've had then I think some of the boys will be in there sooner or later. There's still quite a few games to go (in qualifying).

"I'm sure Pim Verbeek still has his eye on a few of the players here. The boys will keep working hard here and I don't think they'll be down (on missing out)."

Pondeljak says that continuing to pick up A-League points will only aid international ambitions and admits this weekend's clash with Perth Glory is a big test for the side.

He said: "We were very disappointed to lose to two late goals against Queensland and we want to bounce back straight away.

"It is always a test after a defeat and although Perth haven't had the best of starts to the season I'm sure they'll be fired up coming here.

"Teams like coming here to play here and it can lift them. Perth have been creating plenty of chances this season and I think they've been a bit unlucky in a few matches. You really have to be on your guard because people like Nikita Rukavytsya and Eugene Dadi can cause problems.

"But we want to get out there and put on a show for our supporters and keep ourselves right up there."