Debut: 14/11/2012 v South Korea
Socceroos Cap Number: 547
Major Tournaments: FIFA World Cup 2018 & 2022, AFC Asian Cup 2015 & 2019, FIFA Confederations Cup 2017
Current Club: Dundee United
Junior Club: Green Gully SC (VIC)
Previous clubs: Green Gully, Melbourne Victory, Hume City, Melbourne Heart, Bursaspor, PSV Eindhoven, Kayserispor, Istanbul Basaksehir, Giresunspor
Aziz Behich appeared in his second FIFA World Cup while in Qatar, having showcased his immense leadership qualities within the Socceroos' backline, as the side achieved their goal of qualification. The defender played every minute of all four matches in Doha and was one of Australia's most consistent performers.
Melbourne-born Behich became Australia's first choice left-back after four excellent seasons at Turkish Super Lig side Bursaspor.
He was in and out of the national team set-up after making his debut in 2012 but was finally called into the 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad, and has since become a regular in the Socceroos camp.
Behich’s form for club and country saw him secure a move to Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in 2018. However, he only spent a season in the Netherlands before moving back to Turkey to join Istanbul Basaksehir.
In his first season with Basaksehir, the traditional Turkish under-performers were crowned league champions for the first time in their history. The record-breaking campaign was also a personal milestone for Behich, as he received his first piece of silverware at club level.
In 2020/21 he spent time on loan with Kayserispor, successfully helping keep them in the Turkish top flight, before replicating his heroics in the season after, guiding a Giresunspor side to safety, making 34 appearances during the 2021/22 season, at the heart of his side's defence. In July 2022, Behich embarked on a new challenge and signed with Scottish Premiership side Dundee United.
Best Socceroos moment:
Behich was instrumental in helping the Socceroos across the line in both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying, playing a full 180 minutes in the two play-off victory during both campaigns, with just cramp denying Behich from seeing out the full 120 minute effort against Peru.
Did you know?
Behich began his career as a winger with Melbourne Victory. It wasn’t until his move to their crosstown rivals, that he developed into a left-back.
