“We’re training hard and doing everything right to ensure that we have the best chance of our bodies being acclimatised,” says Neill.

“We have great staff who are making sure we are recovering properly. Yeah, there are guys who’ve lost 2-4kgs in a session.”

Fellow Socceroo Brett Holman added that, “to be fair, no one's (complaining) at all at the moment” when asked about the intensive cardio sessions designed to ramp up the Socceroos’ fitness ahead of the sapping heat in Bangkok (where Australia will play three group games and, quite likely, a quarter final).

Asian Cup side Oman is also in Singapore for a couple of friendlies. Coached by wily Argentine Gabriel Calderon, they won’t want to give too much away to the prying eyes of the Socceroo coaching staff when they play against South Korea and Saudi Arabia over the next few days.

The Socceroos too will have a final warm up match this Saturday against host nation Singapore. Australia plays Oman in Bangkok on July 8.

Neill added that the arrival of Harry Kewell into camp has been a boost for the squad. “It’s good to see everyone come through the door, but with Harry you can’t match his quality and to play with him is fantastic.

“I’m his roommate too, and he’s a great lad. He does make a nice cuppa, but I don’t drink tea!”