The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Focused Behich not in Qatar to make up numbers
The list of luminaries faced by Aziz Behich during his international career is lengthy and formidable. Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Heung-min Son, Felipe Coutinho, Christian Eriksen – just a handful of Behich’s prior adversaries as the Dundee United defender prepares to embark upon his second World Cup campaign.
With 53 caps to his name, the 31-year-old has lifted the Asian Cup for his country while playing under current Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.
As well as sought-after silverware and cherished memories, one might imagine Behich has also compiled a fairly impressive collection of opposition jerseys.
“I don’t like swapping shirts at international level,” smiled Behich. “I like my Australia one – that means more to me than getting someone else’s.
“When you represent your country it’s a huge honour.
“I have over 50 caps but you never know when it’s going to be your last one.
“So I prefer to keep the shirts and give them to family and friends – that means more to me than getting someone else’s off their back.”
Behich’s fierce national pride shines through as he looks ahead to the Qatar showpiece – as does the confidence and ambition which has come to characterise Aussie sport.
The Socceroos may be in a group with France, Tunisia and Denmark, but Behich is adamant they can emulate the golden generation of Harry Newell, Mark Viduka and Tim Cahill in 2006 by reaching the last-16.
“Being at the 2018 World Cup before is a massive thing for us,” said Behich. “We know what to expect.
“I think the expectations are different this time – we believe we’re capable of doing something special.
“Everyone talks about the golden generation at the 2006 World Cup. They set the standard for Australian teams.
“That team put us on the map a bit more and now we have to live up to it; build on it.
“We are not going there to be passengers and just say we made it to a World Cup.”
The Socceroos’ Qatar curtain-raiser could scarcely be more daunting, with France up first in Alwakrah tomorrow.
Behich will almost certainly start for Graham Arnold’s charges, becoming the first United player to get on the pitch at a World Cup since Collin Samuel represented Trinidad and Tobago in 2006.
It will also represent a cathartic rematch for Behich – given he scored the own goal that gave Les Bleus a 2-1 victory when the sides met at Russia 2018.
“(Paul) Pogba and I went for the ball,” he recalled.
“Both of us tried to toepoke it and I STILL don’t know if it came off him or me last!
“But it looped over our goalkeeper and off the underside of the bar.
“The goal-line technology gave the goal and we ended up losing.
“Those are the fine margins.”