Aziz Behich emerged as the hero for the Socceroos, significantly boosting Australia’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a dramatic late goal against Japan. His strike in the 90th minute concluded a 16-year winless streak against the Asian powerhouse, extending Tony Popovic’s unbeaten run as head coach.
The Melbourne City defender capitalised on a setup from Riley McGree, striking the ball decisively to send the Optus Stadium crowd into a frenzy. Commentator Simon Hill remarked on the extraordinary turn of events, suggesting Behich’s goal could well secure Australia’s place in the upcoming World Cup.
The significance of the moment was underscored by the fact that Japan hadn’t lost a World Cup qualifying match since 2021, making the victory particularly sweet for the Australians. However, the uncertainty remained until Saudi Arabia’s match against Bahrain unfolded, as they would need an improbable victory with a 10-goal margin to threaten Australia’s direct qualification.
Reflecting on the match, Behich expressed the overwhelming joy he felt when the final whistle blew, indicating that while the moment hadn’t fully sunk in, it represented a remarkable achievement. He recalled the encouragement from Popovic at halftime, reinforcing the belief that an opportunity would arise—and he was ready when it did.
The match itself was intense, with over 57,000 fans witnessing a nail-biting contest. While Japan dominated possession and attempted seven shots on target compared to Australia’s two, the Socceroos managed to withstand the pressure. Simon Hill highlighted Japan’s persistent threat, noting Australia’s struggles to maintain control of the ball.
Despite the Japanese team’s early dominance, Australia showed resilience and, thanks to tactical adjustments in the second half, began to push back. A chance almost materialised earlier for the hosts due to a Japanese goalkeeper error, but it wasn’t until Behich’s exquisite finish that Australia found the back of the net.
As the clock ticked down and Japan launched a series of desperate attempts to equalise, Australia held firm. The palpable excitement from the home crowd and the relief of the players upon the final whistle signalled a significant moment in the Socceroos’ campaign, leaving fans hopeful as they awaited confirmation of their World Cup qualification.