Australia reached the spherical of 16 beneath the steering of Guus Hiddink in Germany, the place they have been eradicated by eventual champions Italy in relatively controversial trend.
Regardless of the character of their exit, caused by Francesco Totti’s Ninety fifth-minute penalty, the Socceroos’ efforts have develop into the benchmark for the nationwide crew, one they’ve been unable to match within the years since.
Graham Arnold served as assistant coach throughout Hiddink’s tenure, and, in keeping with Behich, has challenged his present crop to shock the nation and, not solely get out of the group however obtain Australia’s best-ever outcome at a World Cup.
“We actually need to make an announcement,” Behich advised SBS Sport. “We need to be one of many biggest Socceroos groups ever.
“It’s one thing that we’ve mentioned from the start. It’s been an extended marketing campaign, we’ve finished it the robust method, however I at all times say, us Australians, when our backs are in opposition to the wall is once we’re the very best. That’s simply the mentality we’ve had, particularly with soccer.”
Behich has develop into an integral a part of the Socceroos setup since making his debut in 2012, having amassed 52 caps; together with 26 since Arnold took the reins following the World Cup in 2018.
The 31-year-old featured in all however 5 of Australia’s 18 qualifiers for the Qatar version, earlier than clocking 90 minutes of their AFC play-off win over the United Arab Emirates, and 119 minutes within the intercontinental play-off in opposition to Peru.
With one World Cup marketing campaign already beneath his belt, securing a second is now the highest precedence for the Dundee United left-back who professed “it might imply all the things” to be on the aircraft.
“Having a style of the expertise in Russia, representing Australia, it simply pushed me extra to verify I’m nonetheless enjoying at a excessive degree, performing, in order that I’ve obtained my hand as much as get chosen.
“It’s been pushing me till now so I’m actually desirous to get one foot within the door.”
Arnold is predicted to announce his 26-man squad one week out from Qatar’s curtain-raiser in Al Khor, with two days then separating the Socceroos from their first group sport in opposition to defending champions France.
Tunisia and Denmark will spherical out Group D, however Behich, buoyed by his personal expertise, is determined to deal with them contemporary off the sort of begin his compatriots managed in 2006.
These beautiful three factors in opposition to Japan in Kaiserslautern set the tone for Australia’s fairytale run to the knockouts and it stays a chunk of historical past the defender needs to be part of, if not rewrite.
“After enjoying at one World Cup myself, I need to go one higher than they did,” Behich defined.
“As a result of they did so nicely, you need to be a part of that historical past and what they did was a stepping stone for Australian soccer, in order that’s one reminiscence that at all times sticks in my head.”
“I’ve performed greater than 50 video games now,” he added. “And it’s about giving my greatest for the nation and the crew.
“It’s about ensuring I’m tremendous match, enjoying week in, week out for my membership, and I do know after I’m doing that, I’m at my greatest. So, little question, I’m pushing myself to do this and provides the very best Aziz doable for the nation.”
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