"I remember we played in Kuwait last year [in the Asian Cup qualifiers] and it was much hotter than here in Singapore from memory.

"We only had a couple of days to prepare for that game, but the difference now is we're here for a few weeks training in the heat and acclimatising," Sterjovski said from the Socceroos' training base today.

"It's been difficult and the weather's been hot. But everyone's motivated, you can tell. Preparation is going along really well," adds Sterjovski, a former Parramatta and Sydney United striker.

The wide flyer admits he's found heat "difficult" in the past, "and maybe I didn't prepare the way I should in the past." However, after a couple of weeks off after the Uruguay friendly on June 2 - in which he starred - he says the break has recharged his physical and mental batteries after a stellar season in Switzerland.

The Socceroos are currently training twice a day ahead of their weekend warm up match with Singapore. Tonight (Wed), Singapore plays Saudia Arabia in a friendly at the national stadium.

For the Socceroos, morning sessions so far have been physical work with afternoon sessions more with the ball and the technical side. And it all has a similar flavour to 12 months ago.

"Guus' training was the toughest. It was hard but at the same time well planned and he got the best out of us."

Sterjovski is unclear about whether he's got a starting role when the Aussies make their Asian Cup debut on July 8 against Oman.

"Arnie's not giving too much away right now," he says.