The Australian-based members of the squad left here Thursday for Singapore where they will have their final warm-up game before opening their first-ever Asian Cup campaign against Oman in Bangkok on July 8.

Arnold relishes his team being installed as tournament favourites, even though they are now ranked below Japan and Iran in the region.

"I want favouritism to be a positive, not a negative," Arnold told reporters at the airport before departure.

"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 a failure is not making the final.

"In the big picture you have to get in the top four in Asia to get into the World Cup in 2010, so it's a good test for us.

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

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer said Australia had to back up their top Asian team tag earned at last year's World Cup in Germany where they beat Japan 3-1 on the way to reaching the knockout second round.

"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 Number one 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 reports that key midfielder Vince Grella has signed for Italian club Torino on a free transfer from Parma.

"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 informed while the negotiations with Torino were finalised, and made it part of his contract that he would be available for the Asian Cup.

Arnold said he expected Liverpool ace Harry Kewell to play in the warm-up game against Singapore on June 30, 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 Asian Cup, Arnold said.

Cahill accompanied other squad members Thursday 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 his players to take time to come to terms with the hot, humid conditions, especially as they are coming off a four or five week break from their European seasons.