The former Test captain has taken on a motivator role with the team and was impressed by the skill, fitness and dedication of the squad, and believes coach Graham Arnold has the players primed.

"I've been a part of many successful teams and they've all had one thing in common - an X-factor. When you're in the presence of it, you can smell it," Waugh wrote in his column for The Daily Telegraph.

"The signs are good with this team, with the added bonus of the match-winning class of (Mark) Viduka and (Harry) Kewell, both of whom can change a game like a (Shane) Warne or (Adam) Gilchrist."

Waugh addressed the players before the final warm-up match against Singapore on Saturday, a contest Australia won 3-0 courtesy of a Viduka double and a goal from Kewell.

During his time with the team, Waugh managed to learn as much as he imparted.

"I learned to admire the professional work ethic of the Socceroos and discovered how humble they were. Nothing was ever too much to ask," he added

"The players wore GPS tracking devices at training to monitor heart rates, distances covered, angles run and whether or not they were working to capacity.

"Harry Kewell clocked up 6.9 kilometres in a sign he is close to getting back to match fitness after an extended period out of the game.

"The group is a happy one, quietly confident of their prospects but smart enough to know that reputations won't win them a coveted first major international trophy."

Australia's Asian Cup campaign kicks off against Oman on Sunday night.