Aziz Behich’s first international goal in 13 years has all but guaranteed the Socceroos a spot at the 2026 World Cup, scoring in the dying moments on Thursday night to secure a gritty 1-0 win over Japan.
A scoreless draw looked to be on the cards after a largely unsatisfying performance from Tony Popovic’s side, who were comprehensively outplayed by the Samurai Blue.
But everything swung at the death, as Behich capped off the greatest week of his career - having captained Melbourne City to an A-League championship on Saturday night - with one of his greatest moments in an Australian jersey.
Aziz Behich of the Socceroos celebrates scoring the match winner in PerthCredit: Getty Images
A byline pass from substitute Riley McGree set up his 90th-minute goal, which he put away with his non-preferred right foot, sending the capacity crowd at Perth’s Optus Stadium into a sudden frenzy. For large stretches of the second half, the 57,226 fans were left to amuse themselves by performing the Mexican wave.
The move was the only notable passage of attacking play from the Socceroos - and it yielded Australia’s first victory over Japan in 11 outings, stretching back to 2009. It is also Japan’s first and only defeat in this World Cup qualifying cycle and the goal was just the third one they have conceded in this phase.
Though their spot at the next World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is not yet mathematically guaranteed - although it could be soon, if Saudi Arabia fails to defeat Bahrain overnight - as a worst-case scenario, only an unforeseeably heavy defeat next Wednesday morning (AEST) in Jeddah would erase the goal difference buffer the Socceroos currently hold over the Saudis.
Cameron Burgess of the Socceroos and Paul Izzo of the Socceroos celebrate the win against JapanCredit: Getty Images
The Socceroos had spent the previous 89 minutes struggling to put more than a couple of passes together. Japan had left many of their top-line stars either out of the squad or on the bench, but even their second-string selection was able to comprehensively outplay the home side.
Not only was Japan’s B-team still mightily impressive in all facets of the game, dominating possession, territory and the physical battles, but the Socceroos played within themselves in the first half.
Forced onto the back foot by the visitors, they were either unwilling or incapable of changing the situation. At times it seemed as if they were almost scared to play. At others it was if they were playing a different sport altogether to the Samurai Blue.Fortunately, Japan struggled to translate their supremacy into clear-cut chances on goal, and in the end, it was a case of the Socceroos having to bide their time.
Popovic will not win any plaudits for the way he has done it, but taking the Socceroos to another World Cup - their sixth in a row - should be regarded as a mighty effort.
He took over from Graham Arnold in September after a shock home defeat to Bahrain and a draw away to Indonesia saw them began the third phase of Asian qualifiers in horrendous fashion. On the run, Popovic has remodelled this side, blooded new talent and still found a way to record the results they needed to rescue their campaign from the edge of disaster.
Now he has just a tick over 12 months to refine their playing style to ensure that the Socceroos, once they arrive in North America, are competitive.
