Bend it like Behich – Socceroos’ stunner all but books World Cup ticket

Nothing shall ever top John Aloisi’s penalty for World Cup qualification. But this wasn’t bad at all.

Aziz Behich celebrates his goal against Japan at Optus Stadium on Friday. Picture: Getty Images

John Aloisi’s penalty against Uruguay in 2005 triggered an earthquake of emotion. Subsequent celebrations of World Cup qualifications have been comparative aftershocks. No lodging of a ball in the netting shall ever top Aloisi’s goal and gift from the gods … and yet Aziz Behich’s 90th-minute stunner in Perth has instantly became one of the Socceroos’ most groundbreaking and wall-shaking moments.

Nil-all against Japan at Optus Stadium. A large crowd of 57,226. A win would virtually book Australia’s ticket to next year’s World Cup. Little old Australia, playing against the big boys in the global game. Riley McGree got his foot to the ball at the top right of the penalty box, spun like a ballerina, turned, burned the defence, doing the do-si-do, and the hokie-pokie, and whatever else it took, and found the second most valuable commodity in football.

Space.

He hooked a Hail Mary of a pass in front of goal. Veteran Aziz Behich was lurking with the intent to boot the Socceroos into next year’s Cup extravaganza in the USA, Canada and Mexico. He rifled a dream, curving, whistling strike that swung past the Japanese goalkeeper and found the single most valuable commodity in football.

Net.

The Socceroos celebrated in an appropriately bonkers fashion. Now they can only miss qualification if they lose by five goals or more to Saudi Arabia at Jeddah on Wednesday. Which won’t happen.

Japan's goalkeeper Kosei Tani is unable to stop Aziz Behich’s shot in Perth on Thursday. Picture: AP

Bend it like Behich. “It hasn’t quite sunk in just yet,” the 34-year-old said. “When that final whistle went, it’s a great feeling. It was a tough game and we knew we had to grind it out. The boss said at halftime, ‘No matter how tough it gets, we will get our opportunity’. Fortunately enough it fell to me and my right foot. It’s been a long campaign and we’ve worked so hard. The group we have in this changeroom and the boys that come in every camp, the mentality is second to none. I think we’re more than deserving of going to a World Cup.”

Let’s be honest. The Socceroos were ordinary for the first 89 minutes. The Blue Samurai dominated until McGree’s wizardry and Behich’s opportunism secured a tough and ugly win. A loyal servant scored his first international goal in 13 years to end Australia’s 16-year winning drought against Japan and render rather meaningless the otherwise imperfect performance. In sport and life, and especially World Cup qualifiers, only the highlights matter.

McGree thought his Hail Mary would fall on deaf ears and no feet. “I honestly thought the cutback was too far back and no-one was going to get on it,” he said. He (Behich) ended up getting on it and I look up and it hits the net. Unbelievable.”

Coach Tony Popovic praised the Socceroos’ resilience in jagging a late winner after spending most of the night on their heels. It was by no means a performance high on breathtaking skill and yet it was full of perseverance and heart. “A great goal at the end,” Popovic said. “It just shows the belief the group has. I believe there’s more to come from them. We seemed second to the ball … we didn’t win our challenges and the duels …. we tried to get more strength in there … a bit more spark and energy … beating Japan and doing it at home and in the last minute, you couldn’t have scripted it any better. I’m sure every Australian that has seen this game is a proud Australian tonight.”