Socceroos defender Aziz Behich rewarded for persistence after contrasting stints in Turkey

IF AT first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Socceroos caps are reward for good performances at club level and Aziz Behich is a prime example of that.

OSAKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 18:Aziz Behich of Australia keeps the ball during the international friendly match between Japan and Australia at Nagai Stadium on November 18, 2014 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Kaz Photography/Getty Images)

IF AT first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

Just ask Aziz Behich.

Socceroos caps are reward for good performances at club level and Behich is a prime example of that.

Flying for then-named Melbourne Heart, Behich played his first five national team games in November and December of 2012, one in a friendly against South Korea and four in the qualifying tournament for the 2013 East Asian Cup.

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The international exposure preceded his mid-season move to Bursaspor, but that’s where things headed south.

The left back played just two games for Bursaspor in the second part of the 2012-13 season, which forced him to seek a loan move back to Heart for the 2013-14 campaign in search of game time.

His form at Heart was solid rather than spectacular, but the 24-year-old said on Friday the crucial thing was that he got games under his belt ahead of his impending return to Europe.

Aziz Behich at Socceroos training in Melbourne.

And since arriving back in Turkey for season 2014-15 Behich hasn’t looked back, playing 15 league games for the fifth placed Super Lig club as well as two Europa League qualifiers and a cup game.

Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou has taken notice too, giving Behich starts in recent friendlies against Qatar and Japan and another run off the bench against the UAE.

And with fellow fullback Jason Davidson struggling for game at West Bromwich, the left back position appears to be Behich’s to lose for Friday’s Asian Cup opener against Kuwait at AAMI Park.

“It’s been completely different to when I first went over, I didn’t get much game when I first went over,” Behich said.

“But things have changed, I’ve got an opportunity.

“It’s always hard getting transferred mid-season, especially when the team was doing well.

“But a lot has changed with the club as well, there’s a new coach who has different views and he gave me my opportunity at the start of the season. I went in with an open mind during pre-season.

“Things just took off from there.

“The first time was an eye-opener, but I then knew what I was getting in to second time around, what to expect, players’ roles, training (expectations), culture. So it made things a bit easier.”

Behich said he was unsure where he stood in the Socceroos pecking order.

“Everyone’s equal at the moment,” he said.

“I don’t think any spot is secure.”

Originally published as Socceroos defender Aziz Behich rewarded for persistence after contrasting stints in Turkey