Arnold demands spot in final

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold says anything less than a place in the final of next month's Asian Cup will be a failure.

Arnold was in bullish mood as the bulk of the squad flew out of Sydney for a training camp in Singapore ahead of Australia's first appearance in the tournament.

Arnold welcomed the fact that bookmakers have installed the Socceroos as favourites, even though they are now ranked below Japan and Iran in the region.

"I want favouritism to be a positive, not a negative," he said. "I want people to give us the favouritism tag because we deserve it.

"A pass is reaching the semi-finals, but I'll put pressure on myself by saying not making the final is a failure.

"I walk past the trophy cabinet in Football Australia every day and it's empty, so it would be nice to put something in it."

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer echoed his coach's confidence.

"There's a high expectation from everyone concerned, and rightly from ourselves as well," he said.

"If you look at the performance at the World Cup we're rightly No.1 in Asia. But that was 12 months ago and we have to back it up in this sort of competition. It's going to be a difficult competition and conditions are very harsh.

"But we've got enough quality to win the tournament."

Arnold welcomed the news that key midfielder Vince Grella had signed for Italian club Torino on a free transfer from Parma and will come to the tournament with his mind clear.

"I think it's a great move for Vinnie," Arnold said. "He's a guy that loves playing in Italy. The Italian game suits him."

"At least he'll be coming to the Asian Cup mentally ready and won't have any problems or worries about injury."

Arnold said Grella had kept him in the loop while the negotiations with Torino were finalised and made it part of his contract that he would be available for this tournament.

Arnold said he expected Harry Kewell to play in the warm-up game against Singapore on Saturday week, even though he will not join the squad until the weekend.

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill's return from a broken bone in his foot will be delayed until the tournament proper. He flew out with the other squad members and will be met in Singapore by Everton's head physiotherapist Nick Rathbone for more intensive work on his foot.

"I'm very positive and really confident that I can come back and produce," Cahill said.

Arnold is expecting the players to take some time to come to terms with the hot, humid conditions, especially as they are coming off a four or five week break.

"The friendly against Singapore is about getting out and experiencing the conditions.

"We won't be in top form so I don't expect a wonderful performance, but what I do expect is a professional performance.

"I think we won't hit our form in the first three games but if we can build into the tournament, hopefully by the quarter-finals, the semis and final that we'll hit our straps. The first few games could be quite tough."

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