Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Evergreen Socceroos defender Aziz Behich is adamant he won’t overstay his welcome in the national team, but for now is showing no signs of slowing down heading into next year’s AFC Asian Cup.
Behich, who turns 36 in December, was the only current A-League player chosen in the Socceroos squad for the two-match series against Brazil that was scheduled to conclude on Tuesday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic had no qualms about selecting Behich despite his recent lack of football.
With the A-League not starting until October 16, the Melbourne City skipper’s first serious match since the June-July FIFA World Cup was Australia’s 1-1 draw with the Brazilians in Townsville last Friday.
Behich played the full match in the left wing-back position and looked anything but out of place against the five-time world champions.
“I thought he was outstanding as a leader, as a player, in the first game against Brazil,” Popovic said.
“It just shows what a professional he is, and that’s something that the young ones can definitely learn off Aziz.”
Behich said he felt “great”.
“I know when I’m not at a level I should be. The boss (Popovic) will see that, but I’m always honest with myself and there’ll be a time,” he said.
“Right now, I’m still playing at a very high level. I’m showing that at City, and I’m doing it here, and I did at the World Cup.”
Behich said he took “pride” in looking after my body.
“Even on holidays, I don’t get carried away, and I think that’s why I’m still going now,” he said.
“I felt great out there (last Friday), and I’ve recovered really well as well. I’ve got no issues.
“I’ve had a good pre-season. My data shows that I’ve been working hard and probably some of my best scores at City since I’ve signed at the club, which is not normal.”
Behich, who was part of the Socceroos squad that won the 2015 Asian Cup, was confident Australia could taste similar success at the 2027 edition of the tournament, which starts in January in Saudi Arabia.
“We’ve done it before, so there’s no reason why we can’t,” he said.
“It’s going to be hard work, that’s for sure. There’s not a lot of prep time, so it’s about players performing at their clubs, improving and using (the November) window as best as we can.
“It’s not going to be easy, obviously away from home this time around … (but) this group’s ceiling is very high.
“We showed that in the World Cup and we showed that the other night (in Townsville), so I don’t see any reason why we can’t say that we want to win it.”
