Aziz Behich

Aziz Behich

Behich with Australia in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Aziz Eraltay Behich[1]
Date of birth	(1990-12-16) 16 December 1990 (age 34)[2]
Place of birth	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia[1]
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[3]
Position(s)	Left back
Team information
Current team	Melbourne City
Number	16
Youth career
	Meadow Park
2005–2007	Green Gully
2008–2010	Melbourne Victory
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008–2009	Green Gully	31	(4)
2009–2010	Melbourne Victory	5	(0)
2010	Hume City	6	(1)
2010–2013	Melbourne Heart	65	(1)
2013–2018	Bursaspor	122	(6)
2013–2014	→ Melbourne Heart (loan)	24	(1)
2018–2019	PSV Eindhoven	4	(0)
2019–2021	İstanbul Başakşehir	5	(0)
2020–2021	→ Kayserispor (loan)	34	(0)
2021–2022	Giresunspor	34	(0)
2022–2023	Dundee United	26	(3)
2023–	Melbourne City	12	(0)
2024	→ Al Nassr (loan)	0	(0)
International career^‡
2011–2012	Australia U23	5	(1)
2012–	Australia	75	(2)
Medal record Representing  Australia Men's Association football AFC Asian Cup Winner 2015 Australia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 October 2024

Aziz Eraltay Behich (Turkish: Aziz Eraltay, /ˈæzɪz ˈbeɪ.ɪtʃ/ AZ-iz BAY-itch;^[4] born 16 December 1990) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a left back for A-League Men club Melbourne City and the Australia national team.

Club career

Youth career

Behich played in the junior divisions of Green Gully SC.^[5][6] He participated in the junior leagues of Melbourne's North-West. He had played for the club's Reserve team in 2007.^[7] In February 2007 Behich had returned to Australia after having been training at the David Beckham Academy. In 2008 Behich was signed to the club's first team, surprisingly because the coach; Ian Dobson, had preferred experienced players within his squad, where he made his debut on 22 February 2008 in a 2–0 loss against Richmond. He had been substituted onto the field in the 57th minute. He had been promoted to the club's first team with teammate Diogo Ferreira, who also went on to sign for Melbourne during Behich's second youth season. In 2008, Behich scored two goals in 11 appearances while playing for Green Gully in Australia's Second Division.^[8] He had scored his two goals in a 6–1 win against Fawkner Blues on 17 May 2008, he had been substituted onto the field in the 76th minute and scored in both the 84th and 86th minutes.^[8]

Prior to the start of the 2008–2009 A-League's National Youth League, Behich was selected for Melbourne Victory's squad.^[9][10][11] On 3 January 2009, Aziz scored in a 3–0 win against Queensland Roar.^[12] One week later, he scored again in a 2–0 win against Perth Glory on 10 January 2009.^[13] Victory went on to finish in 6th position out of seven teams.

During the National Youth League's off-season, Behich would return to play for Green Gully in the 2009 season.^[14][15] Aziz had appeared 22 times for Green Gully, once in the final's play-offs, and had scored two goals overall. His second goal came in a play-off match against Altona Magic where which Behich was substituted onto the field in the 80th minute when Green Gully were trailing 3–2. Behich had scored an equaliser in the 94th minute to take the game to extra-time, however, Green Gully eventually lost 4–3 on penalties^[16][17]

The following season, Behich was the only youth player to re-sign with Melbourne's youth team and was handed the captain's arm band.^{[18][19][20][21]}

Melbourne Victory

Behich made his debut for Melbourne Victory's first team on 16 January 2010, in the 2009–10 A-League season, where he was substituted on to the field in the 83rd minute for Carlos Hernández in a 6–2 win against Perth Glory.^[22] His second appearance was on 23 January 2010, where he was substituted onto the field in the 91st minute, again for Carlos Hernández, in a 2–0 win against Adelaide United.^[23] Despite Matthew Theodore being the only player to sign from Melbourne's youth-team to its first team in 2009, as of 2010 Behich was the only youth player to gain a first-team appearance and consecutive first-team appearances. It was then announced, in January 2010, that Behich was named in Melbourne's 2010 AFC Champions League squad.^[24] He was substituted on during the second half of the 2009–2010 A-League Grand Final when Melbourne lost on penalties to Sydney, and is notable for the narrowest miss of the match, which could have been the winner. Behich then signed to Hume City in the Victorian Premier League during the A-League off-season.

Hume City

Behich debuted for Hume City in a 2–2 draw against Northcote City on 16 May 2010. Scoring on debut, he netted Hume city's second goal on 81 minutes. He appeared 5 more times for the side, departing from the club in June, as they finished in second spot of the Victorian Premier League table.^[25][26]

Melbourne Heart

By July 2010, he trialled with the Melbourne Heart squad where he took part in a round of warm up matches that the club played, including a 2–0 defeat against Everton. Behich, shortly after trialling with Melbourne Heart, signed a seven-week deal with the club as an injury replacement player for Kristian Sarkies until October 2010. After Dean Heffernan received a red card, Behich slotted into the starting lineup to cover his position, and started most games afterwards. On 25 October 2010, he signed a full-time contract with the Melbourne Heart, becoming the first player to play for both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart.^[27] At Heart, he was developed into more of a defensive player, a left back or left winger, as opposed to the striker position he played at Victory. He was the first player to be sent off in a Melbourne derby, given his second yellow in the very first encounter between the clubs, which Heart won 2–1. In January, Behich was awarded the A-League Young Footballer of the month.^[28] It was reported on 28 January 2012 by the Dutch media that Behich had attracted the interest of Eredivisie club Excelsior and 2. Bundesliga sides VfL Bochum and Eintracht Frankfurt. Excelsior manager John Lammers spoke of his interest in the exciting youngster to Rotterdam newspapers Algemeen Dagblad and NRC Handelsblad:^[29][30] "We are looking to bring Aziz to the club, he's an exceptional talent who we've been watching."^[31]

Bursaspor

On 29 January 2013, Behich signed to Turkish Süper Lig club Bursaspor.^[32] On 11 March 2013, Aziz Behich made his Turkish Süper Lig debut for Bursaspor against Fenerbahçe as a 69th-minute substitute for Tuncay.^[33] On 4 March 2016, Behich signed three-year extension to his contract with Bursaspor, which was due to expire in May.^[34]

PSV Eindhoven

On 31 August 2018, Behich signed for Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven for four years. The transfer fee paid to Bursaspor was reported as for $4.5 million^[35]

İstanbul Başakşehir

On 24 May 2019, it was announced Behich would return to Turkey to join İstanbul Başakşehir for the 2019–20 season, having agreed a three-year deal.^[36]

Kayserispor (loan)

On 2 October 2020, Behich joined Kayserispor on a season-long loan.^[37]

Giresunspor

On 26 August 2021, Behich joined recently promoted sided Giresunspor, in their return to the Süper Lig.^[38]

Dundee United

On 28 July 2022, Behich joined Dundee United on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract.^[39]

Return to Melbourne City

After parting ways with Dundee United, Behich signed a two-year deal for Melbourne City on 6 August 2023.^[40] This marked his return to the club after nine years overseas.

Al-Nassr (loan)

On 31 January 2024, while on Asian Cup duty with the Socceroos, he joined Al-Nassr on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season.^[41] The loan fee was reported to be around $2 million AUD.^[42] Behich played alongside Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo in his three games with the club.

Captain of Melbourne City

At the start of the 24/25 season, Aziz Behich was appointed captain of Melbourne City Football Club.

International career

Behich in 2011

Behich was called up to the Australia Under-23 side by coach Aurelio Vidmar for a friendly match against Japan's Under-23 side at the Tohoku Denryoku Bigswan Stadium, Niigata on Wednesday 1 June 2011.^[43] Behich was selected to play against Yemen's under-23 side for the Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's Asian Qualifiers Preliminary Round 2. On 14 June 2011, in preparation for the 2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament, Behich featured in a 6–0 win against Singapore under-23 where he scored Australia's sixth goal in the 90th minute. On 19 June 2011 Behich played in Australia's first-leg 3–0 win against Yemen.^{[44][45][46][47]} Four days later he played in the second leg which resulted in a 4–0 win to Australia on 23 June.^[48]

Behich was called up to the Australian national team by Holger Osieck for a friendly match against South Korea on 14 November 2012, where he made his debut.^[49]

He was included in Ange Postecoglou's 2015 AFC Asian Cup-winning squad where he played 2 matches as Australia won the tournament on home soil.^[50]

In May 2018 he was named in Australia's 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after being involved in the previous summer's Confederations Cup.^[51]

Behich was also called up to the Australia squad by manager Graham Arnold for the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he started all 4 matches during Australia's campaign to the Round of 16.^[50] Behich made a run past Argentinian defenders and had a chance at an equalising goal in the dying seconds of the Round of 16 game, but his shot was stopped by Emi Martinez.^[52] Behich was also a prominent member of Australia's squad in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and all rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Personal life

Behich is a Muslim of Turkish Cypriot origin, son of immigrants to Australia from Cyprus.^[53] For this reason he was eligible to represent Turkey, Cyprus or Australia, eventually choosing the latter.

Career statistics

Club

As of 31 January 2024.^[54]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Melbourne Victory	2009–10	A-League	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Melbourne Heart	2010–11		27	0	0	0	0	0	27	0
	2011–12		24	1	0	0	0	0	24	1
	2012–13		14	0	0	0	0	0	14	0
	Total		65	1	0	0	0	0	65	1
Bursaspor	2012–13	Süper Lig	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
Melbourne Heart (loan)	2013–14	A-League	24	1	0	0	0	0	24	1
Bursaspor	2014–15	Süper Lig	29	0	8	0	2	0	39	0
	2015–16		26	1	6	0	0	0	32	1
	2016–17		32	0	2	0	0	0	34	0
	2017–18		31	5	3	0	0	0	34	5
	2018–19		3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
	Total		121	6	19	0	2	0	142	6
PSV Eindhoven	2018–19	Eredivisie	4	0	2	0	0	0	6	0
Başakşehir	2019-20	Süper Lig	5	0	4	0	2	0	11	0
Kayserispor (loan)	2020-21		34	0	2	0	0	0	36	0
Giresunspor	2021-22		34	0	0	0	0	0	34	0
Dundee United	2022-23	Scottish Premiership	31	3	4	1	1	0	36	4
Melbourne City	2023-24	A-League	10	0	3	0	6	1	19	1
Al Nassr (loan)	2023-24	Saudi Pro League	0	0	0	0	3	0	3	0
Career total			334	11	35	1	14	1	383	13

International

As of match played 31 January 2024.^[55]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Australia	2012	5	2
	2013	0	0
	2014	3	0
	2015	4	0
	2016	0	0
	2017	7	0
	2018	11	0
	2019	8	0
	2020	0	0
	2021	9	0
	2022	10	0
	2023	6	0
	2024	8	0
Total		70	2

Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Behich goal.

List of international goals scored by Aziz Behich

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	9 December 2012	Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong	Chinese Taipei	5–0	8–0	2013 EAFF East Asian Cup
2				7–0

Honours

Green Gully

• Victorian Premier League Premiers: 2008^[56]

İstanbul Başakşehir

• Süper Lig: 2019–20^[57]

Australia

• AFC Asian Cup: 2015

Individual

• PFA A-League Team of the Season: 2011–12^[58]
• AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2023^[59]

References

1. "PSV sign Australian international Behich". PSV.nl. PSV Eindhoven. 31 August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
2. "FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017: List of players: Australia" (PDF). FIFA. 2 July 2017. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
3. "Aziz Behich". socceroos.com.au. Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
4. Santo Sam and Ed Total Football (3 February 2014), Total Football Half Time Spectacular and Aziz Behich, archived from the original on 15 December 2021, retrieved 17 November 2017
5. [1] Archived 12 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
6. [2] Archived 18 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
7. "Image: u212007-large.jpg, (1000 × 664 px)". greengully.com. 12 September 2007. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
8. "2008 Victorian Premier League - Season Results". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
9. Aziz Behich Archived 26 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Mvfcblog.com (1 August 2008). Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
10. A-League Football Club Archived 28 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Melbourne Victory. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
11. Victory Sign Up Seven Youths – Australia News – Australian FourFourTwo – The Ultimate Football Website. Au.fourfourtwo.com (31 July 2008). Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
12. Official Hyundai A-League | Home. A-league.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
13. Official Hyundai A-League | Home. A-league.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
14. "Football Federation Victoria:Match Details". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
15. "Account Suspended". heidelbergunitedsc.com.au. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
16. ADVANTAGE ALTONA! Green Gully pays the penalty Archived 12 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Greengully.com. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
17. "Image: seniors08.jpg, (1000 × 621 px)". greengully.com. 2 March 2008. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
18. Aziz Behich Pictures – National Youth League Rd 6 – United v Victory. Zimbio (1 November 2008). Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
19. 25.Aziz BEHICH. Melbournevictory.net (15 January 2010). Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
20. Aziz Behich – Melbourne Heart FC. Football Lineups. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
21. A-League Football Club^{[permanent dead link‍]}. Melbourne Victory. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
22. Official Hyundai A-League | Home. A-league.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
23. Official Hyundai A-League | Home. A-league.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
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28. Behich wins January award as A-League Young Footballer. Herald Sun (2 February 2011). Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
29. "Excelsior - nrc.nl". nrc.nl. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
30. "Cookies op AD.nl". ad.nl. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
31. "SBV Excelsior Officiële website |". sbvexcelsior.nl. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
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33. "Fenerbahce vs. Bursaspor - 10 March 2013 – Soccerway".
34. Bennett, Josh (4 March 2016). "Socceroo defender extends Turkey stay". Socceroos. Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
35. "Aziz Behich joins dutch champions PSV Eindhoven". 31 August 2018.
36. "HOŞ GELDİN AZİZ BEHICH" (in Turkish). İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. 24 May 2019. Archived from the original on 25 June 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
37. @KayserisporFK (5 October 2020). "🟨🟥 Hoşgeldin Aziz Behich 🤜🏻🤛🏻" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
38. "AİLEMİZE HOŞ GELDİN AZİZ BEHICH" [Welcome to our family Aziz Behich]. giresunspor.com.tr (in Turkish). 26 August 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
39. "AZIZ BEHICH SIGNS FOR DUNDEE UNITED". Dundee United Football Club. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
40. "Aziz Behich signs for Melbourne City". Melbourne City FC. 6 August 2023.
41. "Aziz Behich to join Al-Nassr on loan". socceroos.com.au. 31 January 2024.
42. "Behich 'couldn't pass' up chance to join Ronaldo at Al Nassr". espn.com. 31 January 2024.
43. Football Federation Australia Home. Footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
44. Official Home of Asian Football. The-afc.com (19 June 2011). Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
45. Australia vs Singapore – U23 – 2011 Archived 26 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Back of the Net. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
46. Aziz Behich and Diogo Ferreira named in Qantas Olyroos squad Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Greengully.com. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
47. Football Federation Australia Home Archived 11 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
48. Football Federation Australia Home Archived 11 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
49. "Rogic gets Qantas Socceroos call-up". Football Federation Australia. 7 November 2012. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
50. "Aziz Behich National Team Stats, Goals, Records". FBref.com. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
51. Crawford, Stephen (4 June 2018). "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad – Final 23-man lists". Goal. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
52. Bate, Adam (4 December 2022). "World Cup 2022 – Argentina 2–1 Australia: Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez goals put Argentina into quarter-final against Netherlands". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
53. Turkish Football. "Beşiktaş reach agreement in principle with Melbourne Heart's Aziz Behich". Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
54. Aziz Behich at Soccerway
55. Aziz Behich at National-Football-Teams.com
56. 2008 Victorian Premier League – Final Table. Ozfootball.net. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
57. "Istanbul's Medipol Başakşehir wins first ever Turkish Süper Lig title". Daily Sabah. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
58. "Arnie's Delight at Coach of the Year Award – Australia News – Australian FourFourTwo – The Ultimate Football Website". Au.fourfourtwo.com. 28 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
59. "AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Technical Report" (PDF). AFC. 12 August 2024. p. 69. Retrieved 13 August 2024.

External links

• Aziz Behich at the Turkish Football Federation
• Aziz Behich – UEFA competition record (archive)
• Aziz Behich – UEFA competition record (archive)
• FFA Olyroos Profile
• Aziz Behich Official Website