Melbourne Heart FC’s left-back Aziz Behich has the chance to don the Green and Gold of the Qantas Socceroos for the first time tonight.
Melbourne Heart FC-s left-back Aziz Behich has the chance to don the Green and Gold of the Qantas Socceroos tonight and the fast-paced flanker has promised to grab the opportunity with both hands.
Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck has been forced to make a number changes to his original 19-man squad for tonight’s international friendly match against the Korea Republic at the Hwaseong Stadium, opening a door for Behich to feature in his first ever Australian national match.
Behich flew out for Korea on Sunday after Heart’s 4-1 win over Brisbane Roar on Friday and spoke of his excitement ahead of tonight’s match, which kicks off at 9pm (AEDT).
“It-s was a really good feeling when I found out,” Behich said.
“I was really shocked when I found out and I didn-t really know what to say.
“I really didn-t think about [Socceroos selection] too much, so I was just focussed on what I had to do with the Olyroos and what I had to do here with the Heart so to be honest I didn-t really think too much about it.”
Behich has been in training with the Socceroos this week, giving the 21-year-old the chance to brush shoulders and learn from some of the national team’s greats.
“It will be good to play with the likes of [Mark] Schwarzer and captain Lucas Neill; obviously they are the face of the national team so it will be an honour to play with them and put the shirt on as well,” Behich said.
“[If given the chance] it-s just going to be the same mentality I go out with and play for the Heart; I always want to win and do my best and try and help the team get a result. So my mentality won-t change at all.”
Behich has reunited with former teammate Eli Babalj in the Socceroos camp, who has also received a first call up.
“I kind of miss [Bablj] around here; I was pretty close with Eli so it will be good to see him again,” Behich said.
“I keep in touch with him and Brendan Hamill on the internet and phone about twice a week. It-ll be good to see him again.”
“It-s my first call up so I just have to enjoy it while I-m there as well and just do my best and see what happens.”
