Aziz Behich
Encyclopedia
Aziz Behich is an Australian football (soccer) player who currently plays for Melbourne Heart in the A-League
and the Australia Under-23 national team. He was the first player to play for both Melbourne Victory
and Melbourne Heart having being transferred in 2010.
.
In 2008 Behich was signed to the club's first-team, surprisingly because the coach; Ian Dobson, had preferred experienced players with-in 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 team mate Diogo Ferreira
, who also went onto sign for Melbourne during Behich's second youth season.
In 2008, Behich scored 2 goals in 11 appearances while playing for Green Gully in Australia's Second Division. 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.
During the National Youth League's off-season, Behich would return to play for Green Gully in the 2009 season. Aziz had appeared 22 times for Green Gully, once in the final's play-off's, and had scored 2 goals over all. His second goal came in a play-off match against Altona Magic
where which Aziz was substituted onto the field in the 80th minute when Green Gully were trailing 3–2, Aziz had scored an equaliser in the 94th minute to take the game to extra-time, however, Green Gully eventually lost 4–3 on penalties
Behich made his debut for Melbourne's first-team on 16 January 2010, in the 2009–10 A-League season, where he was substituted onto to the field in the 83rd minute for Carlos Hernández in a 6–2 win against Perth Glory. 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. 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. 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.
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.
. Behich, shortly after trialling with Melbourne Heart, signed a 7-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. Behich became the first player to play for both Melbourne clubs, Victory and Heart. 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.
for a friendly match against Japan's Under-23 side at the Tohoku Denryoku Bigswan Stadium, Niigata on Wednesday 1 June 2011. 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. Four days later he played in the second leg which resulted in a 4–0 win to Australia on 23 June.
Green Gully
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
and the Australia Under-23 national team. He was the first player to play for both Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
and Melbourne Heart having being transferred in 2010.
Green Gully
Behich played in the junior divisions of Green Gully SC. He participated in the Junior Super League's of Melbourne's North-West. He had played for the club's Reserve team in 2007. In February 2007 Behich had returned to Australia after having been training at the David Beckham AcademyDavid Beckham Academy
The David Beckham Academy is a football school founded by England international David Beckham in 2005. , it operates in two locations: in London, United Kingdom, and in Los Angeles, California, United States, though the London location closed in early 2010 .Further Academy sites are planned at...
.
In 2008 Behich was signed to the club's first-team, surprisingly because the coach; Ian Dobson, had preferred experienced players with-in his squad, where he made his debut on 22 February 2008 in a 2–0 loss against Richmond
Richmond SC
Richmond Soccer Club is an Australian association football club from Richmond, Victoria, an inner eastern suburb of Melbourne, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian Premier League.-History:...
. He had been substituted onto the field in the 57th minute. He had been promoted to the club's first-team with team mate Diogo Ferreira
Diogo Ferreira
Diogo Ferreira is an Australian football player currently playing for Melbourne Victory.-Early career:At the age of 16, Diogo completed a successful trial with Portuguese giants FC Porto and was signed to the club's youth academy. Whilst in Portugal, he was loaned out to a second division team...
, who also went onto sign for Melbourne during Behich's second youth season.
In 2008, Behich scored 2 goals in 11 appearances while playing for Green Gully in Australia's Second Division. 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.
During the National Youth League's off-season, Behich would return to play for Green Gully in the 2009 season. Aziz had appeared 22 times for Green Gully, once in the final's play-off's, and had scored 2 goals over all. His second goal came in a play-off match against Altona Magic
Altona Magic
Altona Magic Soccer Club is a football team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian State League Division 1.-History:...
where which Aziz was substituted onto the field in the 80th minute when Green Gully were trailing 3–2, Aziz had scored an equaliser in the 94th minute to take the game to extra-time, however, Green Gully eventually lost 4–3 on penalties
Melbourne Victory
Prior to the start of the 2008–2009 A-league's National Youth League, Behich was selected for Melbourne Victory's 7 man squad. On 3 January 2009, Aziz scored in a 3–0 win against Queensland Roar. One week later, on 10 January 2009, he scored again in a 2–0 win against Perth Glory. Melbourne went onto finish in 6th position out of 7th. The following season he was the only youth player to re-sign with Melbourne's youth team and was handed the captain's arm band.Behich made his debut for Melbourne's first-team on 16 January 2010, in the 2009–10 A-League season, where he was substituted onto to the field in the 83rd minute for Carlos Hernández in a 6–2 win against Perth Glory. 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. 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. 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 CityNorthcote City SC
Northcote City Soccer Club is a football club from Thornbury, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, that currently plays in the Victorian Premier League. The club was formed in 1960 by local Greek Australians. This club was known as Princes Park Hercules during the 1960s and 1970s...
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
Victorian Premier League
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
table.
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 EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. Behich, shortly after trialling with Melbourne Heart, signed a 7-week deal with the club as an injury replacement player for Kristian Sarkies until October 2010. After Dean Heffernan
Dean Heffernan
Dean James Heffernan is an Australian professional football player who currently plays as a left back for Chinese Super League club Liaoning Whowin.-Club career:...
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. Behich became the first player to play for both Melbourne clubs, Victory and Heart. 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
Melbourne derby
The Melbourne Derby is currently the only intra-city local derby in Australia's premier Association football competition, the A-League, between the two Melbourne teams in the competition, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart. It is the A-League's first intra-city derby, and although only one...
, 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.
International career
Behich was called up to the Australia Under-23 side by coach Aurelio VidmarAurelio Vidmar
Aurelio Vidmar is an Australian football player and former captain of the Australian national team. He is currently not tied to any A-league club...
for a friendly match against Japan's Under-23 side at the Tohoku Denryoku Bigswan Stadium, Niigata on Wednesday 1 June 2011. 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
2012 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament
The Asian Football Confederation's Pre-Olympic Tournament is the qualifying tournament for the 2012 Summer Olympics Football tournament in London. Thirty-five teams entered the qualification, where AFC have three spots for automatic qualifiers and a spot for inter-continental play-off against the...
, 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. Four days later he played in the second leg which resulted in a 4–0 win to Australia on 23 June.
Honours
With Green Gully
- 2008 Victorian Premier LeagueVictorian Premier LeagueThe Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
– Premiership