Aziz Behich

Aziz Eraltay Behich (Turkish: Aziz Eraltay, /ˈæzɪz ˈbeɪ.ɪtʃ/ AZ-iz BAY-itch;[4] born 16 December 1990) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a left back and left winger for İstanbul Başakşehir.

Aziz Behich
Behich with Australia in 2018
Personal information
Full name Aziz Eraltay Behich[1]
Date of birth (1990-12-16) 16 December 1990[2]
Place of birth Melbourne, Victoria, Australia[1]
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[3]
Playing position(s) Left back
Club information
Current team
 İstanbul Başakşehir
Number 23
Youth career
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– İstanbul Başakşehir 4 (0)
National team‡
2011–2012 Australia U23 9 (1)
2012– Australia 38 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 July 2019
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 October 2019

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 2 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.[9][10][11] On 3 January 2009, Aziz scored in a 3–0 win against Queensland Roar.[12] One week later, he scored again in a 2–0 win against Perth Glory on 10 January 2009.[13] Victory went on to finish in 6th position out of 7 teams.

During the National Youth League's off-season, Behich would return to play for Green Gully in the 2009 season.[14][15] Aziz had appeared 22 times for Green Gully, once in the final's play-offs, and had scored 2 goals overall. His second goal came in a play-off match against 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 Melbourne Victory's first team on 16 January 2010, in the 2009–10 A-League season, where he was substituted on to the field in the 83rd minute for Carlos Hernández in a 6–2 win against Perth Glory.[22] 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.[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 Northcote City 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.[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 Everton. 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, becoming the first player to play for both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart.[27] 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.[28] It was reported on 28 January 2012 by the Dutch media that Behich had attracted the interest of Eredivisie club 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 Süper Lig club Bursaspor.[32] On 11 March 2013, Aziz Behich made his Turkish Süper Lig debut for Bursaspor against Fenerbahçe as a 69th-minute substitute for 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]

International career
Behich in 2011

Behich was called up to the Australia Under-23 side by coach Aurelio Vidmar for a friendly match against Japan's Under-23 side at the Tohoku Denryoku Bigswan Stadium, Niigata on Wednesday 1 June 2011.[37] 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.[38][39][40][41] Four days later he played in the second leg which resulted in a 4–0 win to Australia on 23 June.[42]

Behich was called up to the Australian national team by Holger Osieck for a friendly match against South Korea on 14 November 2012.[43]

In May 2018 he was named in Australia's 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.[44]

Personal life

Behich is of Turkish Cypriot origin, son of immigrants to Australia from Cyprus.[45] For this reason he was eligible to represent Turkey, Cyprus or Australia, eventually choosing the later.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 5 June 2019[46]
Club Season League1 Cup Continental Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Melbourne Victory 2009–10 5000000050
Melbourne Heart 2010–11 270000000270
2011–12 241000000241
2012–13 140000000140
Total 651000000651
Bursaspor 2012–13 1010000020
2014–15 290802000390
2015–16 261500010321
2016–17 320200000340
2017–18 315300000345
2018–19 3000000030
Total 122619020101446
Melbourne Heart 2013–14 (loan) 241000000241
PSV Eindhoven 2018–19 4020000060
Melbourne Heart total 892000000892
Career total 220821020102448

1 - includes A-League final series statistics

International
As of match played 10 October 2019[47]
Australia
YearAppsGoals
201252
201300
201430
201540
201600
201770
2018110
201980
Total382

International goals

.Scores and results are list Australia's goal tally first.

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.9 December 2012Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Chinese Taipei5–08–02013 EAFF East Asian Cup
2.7–0

Honours

Green Gully

  • Victorian Premier League Premiers: 2008[48]

İstanbul Başakşehir

Australia

Individual

gollark: Dynamic Trees.
gollark: Chunkloaders are a bad hack.
gollark: Yes. This is bad. ALL SHOULD RUN CONSTANTLY.
gollark: Also, give DDGBot invite.
gollark: When you go away from things, they stop working!

References
  1. "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. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  4. Santo Sam and Ed Total Football (3 February 2014), Total Football Half Time Spectacular and Aziz Behich, retrieved 17 November 2017
  5. Archived 12 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. 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. "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. 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 6 June 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  33. https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/10/turkey/super-lig/fenerbahce-spor-kulubu/bursaspor/1327768/
  34. Bennett, Josh. "Socceroo defender extends Turkey stay". Socceroos. Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  35. "Aziz Behich joins dutch champions PSV Eindhoven".
  36. "HOŞ GELDİN AZİZ BEHICH" (in Turkish). İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  37. Football Federation Australia Home. Footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  38. Official Home of Asian Football. The-afc.com (19 June 2011). Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  39. Australia vs Singapore – U23 – 2011. Back of the Net. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  40. 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.
  41. Football Federation Australia Home Archived 11 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  42. Football Federation Australia Home Archived 11 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  43. "Rogic gets Qantas Socceroos call-up". Football Federation Australia. 7 November 2012. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  44. Crawford, Stephen (4 June 2018). "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists". Goal. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  45. 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.
  46. Aziz Behich at Soccerway
  47. Aziz Behich at National-Football-Teams.com
  48. 2008 Victorian Premier League – Final Table. Ozfootball.net. Retrieved on 21 October 2011.
  49. "Istanbul's Medipol Başakşehir wins first ever Turkish Süper Lig title". Daily Sabah. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  50. "Arnie's Delight at Coach of the Year Award – Australia News – Australian FourFourTwo – The Ultimate Football Website". Au.fourfourtwo.com. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
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