Grella can't wait for Argentina clash

Nothing excites a player more than coming home and playing in front of his family and friends in his home city, especially if you are playing against one of the best countries in the world. Vince Grella is no different and yesterday was champing at the bit to play in the blockbuster against Argentina early next month.

Nothing excites a player more than coming home and playing in front of his family and friends in his home city, especially if you are playing against one of the best countries in the world. Vince Grella is no different and yesterday was champing at the bit to play in the blockbuster against Argentina early next month.

“Of course I-m in, if I am selected,” Grella said from his new home in Turin, where he has moved to play with Serie A side Torino. “You can-t get much better than that game in Melbourne in front of a home crowd against Argentina, it-s going to a big game.

“I think all the players will be excited with the opportunity.”

Grella is relishing the challenge in the September 11 clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and expects Argentina to play with lots of passion.

“They are very passionate players,” he said. “Whenever they play for the national team they always give 100%, so once they step on the pitch, it will be a tough game.

“Their attacking force is very strong. Between Messi, Tevez and Crespo, they-re all great strikers, so we are going to have a tough job.”

While there is not much doubt he will be selected to play for the Argentinean game, he is not expecting too much opposition from his club, even though he knows they will not be too happy.

"They (Torino) are not really super happy, but before I signed, I made it very clear about my commitments with the national team and obviously the man in charge agreed, to me being available for any game I wanted to play in.

"They can't really do much apart from ask me to stay home or not participate because they are all FIFA dates.

Given what happened at the Asian Cup, Grella can understand why people might not give Australia any chance against Argentina, but that certainly be the feeling amongst the players.

“We-ll be playing to win,” he said emphatically. “It-s a funny game, but I think with our home support and obviously, if we have our full squad, we-ll be pushing to win.

“What-s an acceptable result? At least get ourselves back together and put together a good performance, after the Asia Cup, where a lot of things didn-t go our way.”

With the next major matches for the Socceroos being the World Cup qualifiers starting early next year, Grella knows he now has more responsibility on his shoulders but it-s the group as a whole that needs to show enthusiasm.

“There needs to be enthusiasm from everyone. I am looking forward to the World Cup qualifiers. I am looking forward to playing again.

“It's going to be an interesting time, the next six months.”