How cruel miss proved Behich's sliding doors moment
The brutal miss Aziz Behich thought might define a short career is instead the blessing in disguise that set him on the path to something special.
A 19-year-old Behich had the chance to score a desperately late winner for Melbourne Victory against Sydney FC in the 2009-10 grand final.
But instead of heading or kicking the ball into goal from close range, he attempted to chest it home - and missed.
Victory ultimately lost the game via a penalty shootout and Behich was among the players cut at season's end.
It could have broken Behich. Instead, he went back to the Victorian state league with Green Gully, got another shot at Melbourne Heart, now City, and kicked off a remarkable career for club and country as a left-back.
Fifteen years later, he'll captain City against Victory in Saturday's decider at AAMI Park.
"I was a young kid. I didn't even have a professional contract at the time," Behich told AAP.
"So when I look back at that, I look at it with a positive mindset, because the way my parents taught me was one door closes, another opens.
"It was a blessing in disguise and a door closed, that chapter closed. Then Melbourne Heart gave me that opportunity.
"So I thank God every day that that did happen. Because I don't know where my career (would have) took a turn there if things went the other way.
"So I don't look at that in any bad or good way. I just take it as it was an experience, I was a young kid, and I'm grateful for what Heart did for me at the time and gave me another chance.
"At the time of being a young kid, you do think: 'Oh, my God, the world's come crashing down on me.'
"But when I look back at it now, it's all part of the journey and my story."
The journey since has been incredible for Behich, who is cool, calm and collected off the field and a fiercely competitive winner with white line fever on it.
Behich, 34, has been a Socceroos mainstay, played at two World Cups, is attempting to reach a third, and won the 2015 Asian Cup.
He has played against Lionel Messi, been club teammates with Cristiano Ronaldo and experienced both the European and Asian Champions Leagues - along with pumping stadiums and a Super Lig title in Turkey.
But leading City to a grand-final triumph would be a special way to come full circle.
"It'd be up there, definitely," he said.
"I don't want to think too far ahead. I've never done that in my career.
"But if I was to think about it, even if I wasn't captain, just to win something with the club that I love so much would mean everything to me."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Ken revels in win that keeps hope alive
AFL: Power coach Ken Hinkley addressed the media, following his side's gritty victory over the Giants in Canberra
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Haaland stars as Italy toppled in World Cup qualifying
Erling Haaland scored as Norway humbled Italy 3-0 for the first time in 25 years in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Haaland collected a through ball from playmaker Martin Odegaard and rounded goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the box for the third goal three minutes before half-time on Friday. It was his 41st goal in his 42nd match for Norway to the delight of the spectators at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, including King Harald V of Norway. Haaland also scored when Moldova were beaten 5-0 and Israel 4-2. Norway remained perfect in qualifying after three games in Europe Group I. Striker Alexander Sorloth earlier received a precise pass from Antonio Nusa then beat Donnarumma with a left foot shot. Nusa, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, was a constant threat to the Italian defence. He left behind two defenders and doubled the advantage with a rising shot from inside the area. Italy were missing some regulars for their first qualifying match, while others failed to impress, including Mateo Retegui, the best Serie A scorer. Defenders Alessandro Buongiorno and Mattia Gabbia, defensive midfielder Manuel Locatelli and forward Moise Kean were all injured while key centre back Francesco Acerbi, who was meant to mark Haaland, turned down his callup. Diego Coppola played centre back in the three-man defensive line used by coach Luciano Spalletti that was not able to stop Norway. In the other Group I game, Israel won in Estonia 3-1 for a second win and second place. The Azzurri were under pressure from the start of their qualifying after failing to reach the last two World Cups. Winning the group is the only way to ensure direct qualification to next year's tournament in North America. The second-placed team goes into the playoffs - the stage where Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. A four-time World Cup champion, the only other time Italy didn't qualify was for the 1958 edition. Italy host Moldova on Monday when Norway will be in action at Estonia. Croatia opened their qualifying with a 7-0 rout of minnows Gibraltar. Mario Pašalić and Ante Budimir struck twice for Croatia within two minutes to break the deadlock after half an hour. In the second half, substitutes Andrek Kramaric and Franjo Ivanovis scored a couple each and Ivan Perisic piled on. Croatia were runners-up in the 2018 World Cup and third in 2022. In the same Group L, Adam Hložek and Patrik Schick each scored as the unbeaten Czech Republic beat Montenegro 2-0 for a third straight win. Belgium were 1-0 up with a goal by defender Maxim De Cuyper but Ezgjan Alioski salvaged a draw for North Macedonia in a surprise in Group J. Wales top the group with seven points from three games after a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein. North Macedonia are two points behind. Europe will have 16 teams in the expanded 48-team field for the World Cup. They will come from the winners of the 12 qualifying groups plus four from a playoff of the 12 group runners-up together with four best-ranked group winners in the Nations League that don't finish first or second in the qualifying. The group stage of European qualifying runs through to November. Erling Haaland scored as Norway humbled Italy 3-0 for the first time in 25 years in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Haaland collected a through ball from playmaker Martin Odegaard and rounded goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the box for the third goal three minutes before half-time on Friday. It was his 41st goal in his 42nd match for Norway to the delight of the spectators at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, including King Harald V of Norway. Haaland also scored when Moldova were beaten 5-0 and Israel 4-2. Norway remained perfect in qualifying after three games in Europe Group I. Striker Alexander Sorloth earlier received a precise pass from Antonio Nusa then beat Donnarumma with a left foot shot. Nusa, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, was a constant threat to the Italian defence. He left behind two defenders and doubled the advantage with a rising shot from inside the area. Italy were missing some regulars for their first qualifying match, while others failed to impress, including Mateo Retegui, the best Serie A scorer. Defenders Alessandro Buongiorno and Mattia Gabbia, defensive midfielder Manuel Locatelli and forward Moise Kean were all injured while key centre back Francesco Acerbi, who was meant to mark Haaland, turned down his callup. Diego Coppola played centre back in the three-man defensive line used by coach Luciano Spalletti that was not able to stop Norway. In the other Group I game, Israel won in Estonia 3-1 for a second win and second place. The Azzurri were under pressure from the start of their qualifying after failing to reach the last two World Cups. Winning the group is the only way to ensure direct qualification to next year's tournament in North America. The second-placed team goes into the playoffs - the stage where Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. A four-time World Cup champion, the only other time Italy didn't qualify was for the 1958 edition. Italy host Moldova on Monday when Norway will be in action at Estonia. Croatia opened their qualifying with a 7-0 rout of minnows Gibraltar. Mario Pašalić and Ante Budimir struck twice for Croatia within two minutes to break the deadlock after half an hour. In the second half, substitutes Andrek Kramaric and Franjo Ivanovis scored a couple each and Ivan Perisic piled on. Croatia were runners-up in the 2018 World Cup and third in 2022. In the same Group L, Adam Hložek and Patrik Schick each scored as the unbeaten Czech Republic beat Montenegro 2-0 for a third straight win. Belgium were 1-0 up with a goal by defender Maxim De Cuyper but Ezgjan Alioski salvaged a draw for North Macedonia in a surprise in Group J. Wales top the group with seven points from three games after a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein. North Macedonia are two points behind. Europe will have 16 teams in the expanded 48-team field for the World Cup. They will come from the winners of the 12 qualifying groups plus four from a playoff of the 12 group runners-up together with four best-ranked group winners in the Nations League that don't finish first or second in the qualifying. The group stage of European qualifying runs through to November. Erling Haaland scored as Norway humbled Italy 3-0 for the first time in 25 years in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Haaland collected a through ball from playmaker Martin Odegaard and rounded goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the box for the third goal three minutes before half-time on Friday. It was his 41st goal in his 42nd match for Norway to the delight of the spectators at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, including King Harald V of Norway. Haaland also scored when Moldova were beaten 5-0 and Israel 4-2. Norway remained perfect in qualifying after three games in Europe Group I. Striker Alexander Sorloth earlier received a precise pass from Antonio Nusa then beat Donnarumma with a left foot shot. Nusa, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, was a constant threat to the Italian defence. He left behind two defenders and doubled the advantage with a rising shot from inside the area. Italy were missing some regulars for their first qualifying match, while others failed to impress, including Mateo Retegui, the best Serie A scorer. Defenders Alessandro Buongiorno and Mattia Gabbia, defensive midfielder Manuel Locatelli and forward Moise Kean were all injured while key centre back Francesco Acerbi, who was meant to mark Haaland, turned down his callup. Diego Coppola played centre back in the three-man defensive line used by coach Luciano Spalletti that was not able to stop Norway. In the other Group I game, Israel won in Estonia 3-1 for a second win and second place. The Azzurri were under pressure from the start of their qualifying after failing to reach the last two World Cups. Winning the group is the only way to ensure direct qualification to next year's tournament in North America. The second-placed team goes into the playoffs - the stage where Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. A four-time World Cup champion, the only other time Italy didn't qualify was for the 1958 edition. Italy host Moldova on Monday when Norway will be in action at Estonia. Croatia opened their qualifying with a 7-0 rout of minnows Gibraltar. Mario Pašalić and Ante Budimir struck twice for Croatia within two minutes to break the deadlock after half an hour. In the second half, substitutes Andrek Kramaric and Franjo Ivanovis scored a couple each and Ivan Perisic piled on. Croatia were runners-up in the 2018 World Cup and third in 2022. In the same Group L, Adam Hložek and Patrik Schick each scored as the unbeaten Czech Republic beat Montenegro 2-0 for a third straight win. Belgium were 1-0 up with a goal by defender Maxim De Cuyper but Ezgjan Alioski salvaged a draw for North Macedonia in a surprise in Group J. Wales top the group with seven points from three games after a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein. North Macedonia are two points behind. Europe will have 16 teams in the expanded 48-team field for the World Cup. They will come from the winners of the 12 qualifying groups plus four from a playoff of the 12 group runners-up together with four best-ranked group winners in the Nations League that don't finish first or second in the qualifying. The group stage of European qualifying runs through to November.
Sydney Morning Herald
18 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘The players are so angry': Tottenham face revolt over Postecoglou sacking
In the aftermath of winning his first trophy with Tottenham, captain Son Heung-min said: 'He [Postecoglou] won the trophy. Nobody did it, so …. look, it is not up to me or the players, but we just have to look at the facts, at the fact that we have not won in 17 years, today is the day we finally won it. It is the manager who wins the trophy. So we see what is going to happen.' Son left some teammates and staff with the impression that he could leave Tottenham this summer and there is believed to be interest in the South Korean from Saudi Arabia. Atletico Madrid want to sign defender Cristian Romero, another player who was close to Postecoglou. Levy was not directly quoted in the Tottenham statement that confirmed Postecoglou's sacking. It said: 'Following a review of performances and after significant reflection, the club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. 'However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances – injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. 'It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision.' Following Tottenham's announcement, Postecoglou released his own statement: 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. Loading 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible.' He added: 'I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special.' Tottenham's Europa League success changed the minds of many supporters over Postecoglou's future. But a 17th place Premier League finish, alongside the Europa League win, ultimately cost him his job, even though his squad was decimated by injuries. Levy has put himself under huge pressure to appoint a successor to Postecoglou who can out-perform the Australian. Frank has never won a major trophy as a manager and has not managed in a full European competition. Silva won the Greek title with Olympiacos and coached them in the Champions League.
