Victoria’s Aziz Behich has become a regular in defence for the Subway Socceroos and will play a key role in ensuring Australia makes it out of the group stage.
The defender has represented been capped 52 times and soals for Australia since making his debut in 2012 against South Korea.
Behich grew up in the Northern suburbs of Victoria, starting his footballing journey at Meadow Park SC, he then moved to NPL club Green Gully for a season before signing his first senior contract with Melbourne Victory in 2009.
His A-League dream was short-lived, as he would find himself back in the NPL with Hume City after only five appearances.
After an impressive season, he was signed by expansion side Melbourne Heart (City) where he established himself as a reliable, hard-working defender playing 65 games in his three years at the club.
In 2013, Turkish Süper Lig Bursaspor signed the defender, and he would remain there until 2018 when he made a move to Dutch club Eredivisie club PSV Eindhoven.
Behich returned to Turkey in 2019 before signing for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United in 2022 where he signed a two-year deal.
Meadow Park senior team manager Heidi Enginer said the whole club was “very proud” of what he has been able to achieve.
“From the whole of our community, for him to come so far and succeed is just amazing,” she said.
“The opportunity he and all of the Socceroos have got is just amazing, I am sure he will do the country proud.
“As I know Aziz I can tell you, he is a really respectable man and to his family and to others, he is the best.”
Enginer remembered Behich being a delight to have around the club during his junior days.
“He was a down-to-earth young boy,” she explained.
“All the feedback we got at the time was that he was very determined and well-mannered.
“All the comments we got was that we he as good, he trained hard, and he had respect for everyone."
Coming from a big family, Behich did it tough growing up, however, he didn’t let this stop him from achieving his dreams.
“Living with four girls and one boy, as you can imagine he was the golden child,” Enginer said.
“His dad pushed him and helped him as much as he could, he never gave up on him.
“They (his parents) supported him in every single way, they did everything they could in their power for him to succeed and he has never forgotten that.”
Despite only spending a short time at Meadow Heights he has definitely left a positive imprint on the club.
“He is not a show-off or anything like that and he hasn’t forgotten where he has come from and that’s the most important thing,” Enginer said.
“Some players forget where they come from and they want nothing to do with their family, but Aziz comes home, and he supports his family and club still.
"When he has come home, he has popped his head into the club on numerous occasions to see everybody.
“We have always told him that if he decides to leave Scotland and come home, he can always come back to Meadow Park and coach; do anything you want.”