While Aziz Behich can't remember the particular song he sang for his Subway Socceroos initiation almost ten years ago, he does recall being extremely anxious about having to perform in front of staff and teammates.
But almost a decade and 53 international appearances later, he speaks powerfully about the culture built in Australian national team camp.
The 31-year-old joined the official Subway Socceroos’ Countdown to Qatar Podcast for a chat ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ about life in Scotland, to his early memories in camp and what it is like playing at a FIFA World Cup.
Behich received his maiden senior international call-up in November 2012 ahead of a friendly against Korea Republic.
With seven debutants called into the most recent camp in Brisbane and Auckland, it is tradition for each new player to sing at a team dinner.
Behich was asked if he had any recollections about the time he too had to once perform.
However, the defender has ostensibly blocked most of the nerve-wracking experience well and truly from his memory.
“To be honest I can’t remember,” he explained.
“I just remember how scared I was, we were in Korea. I just remember Lucas (Neill) telling me you’ve got to get up and sing and I didn’t even end up eating my dinner that night.
“Just from being so scared, so nervous. I cannot remember what I sang but it wouldn’t have been as good as anyone, I can tell you that much.”
Now plying his trade with Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership, Behich has been in strong form, both defensively and in front of goal.
Behich, who played every minute of all three group matches four years ago, said having the opportunity to represent the Subway Socceroos at the biggest tournament in the world was a tremendous honour.
“Obviously it was a dream come true,” he said.
“As a kid, you just want to represent your country.
“But obviously for me, I've got the honour and privilege to play at a World Cup, I played all three games and I had my family and my wife in the stands.
“It's the pinnacle of football. You're representing your country in the biggest event in the world of any sport in my opinion, and then we’ve got another chance to do that in a month or so.”
The former Bursaspor and PSV Eindhoven man added it is tough to describe the feeling of going to a World Cup: “It's difficult to explain to people what it's like, playing there.
“I think you’ve actually have to be there to actually have those emotions, the feelings. Hearing that anthem before the game and you just look around and you see yellow everywhere singing along with you.
“It was a special moment for me and my family, a proud moment, one that I'll never forget.”
Don't forget can listen to and download the show from Socceroos.com.au/podcast, as well as everywhere you get your podcasts!