Aziz Behich

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Aziz Behich
Australia
in 2018
Personal information
Full name Aziz Eraltay Behich[1]
Date of birth (1990-12-16) 16 December 1990 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth
Victoria, Australia[1]
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[3]
Position(s)
left midfielder
Team information
Current team
Al Nassr
(on loan from Melbourne City
)
Number 22
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 10 (0)
2024– →
Al Nassr
(loan)		 0 (0)
International career‡
2011–2012 Australia U23 9 (1)
2012– Australia 68 (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 January 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 January 2024

Aziz Eraltay Behich (

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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]

International career

Behich in 2011

Behich was called up to the Australia Under-23 side by coach

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

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]

Personal life

Behich is a Muslim of Turkish Cypriot origin, son of immigrants to Australia from Cyprus.[52] For this reason he was eligible to represent Turkey, Cyprus or Australia, eventually choosing the latter.

Career statistics

Club

As of 31 January 2024.[53]
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 Championship 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 0 0 0 0
Career total 334 11 35 1 11 1 380 13

International

As of match played 31 January 2024.[54]
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 5 0
Total 67 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[55]

İstanbul Başakşehir

Australia

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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.
  24. ^ Melbourne Victory Name Asian Champions League Squad. Goal.com (21 January 2010). Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  25. ^ "2010 Alanic Victorian Premier League - Season Results". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  26. ^ 2010 Victorian Premier League – Final Table. Ozfootball.net. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  27. ^ Behich staying with Heart – Football – Sportal Australia Archived 3 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Sportal.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  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.
  32. ^ "Behich signs for Bursaspor". theworldgame.sbs.com.au. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  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]. www.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. ^ a b "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. ^ 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.
  53. ^ Aziz Behich at Soccerway
  54. ^ Aziz Behich at National-Football-Teams.com
  55. ^ 2008 Victorian Premier League – Final Table. Ozfootball.net. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  56. ^ "Istanbul's Medipol Başakşehir wins first ever Turkish Süper Lig title". Daily Sabah. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  57. ^ "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.

External links

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