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Find your frequency hereSocceroos have a new iconic moment after all but securing World Cup spot
Nicholas Quinlan • June 6th, 2025 8:50 am
Aziz Behich’s first international goal in 13 years has all but secured the Socceroos’ spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 victory over Japan in Perth.
It's an historic result for the Australian national team who had not beaten Japan since 2009. It is also the first time that the Samurai Blue have lost a match since January last year.
When Behich turned and rifled home with his right foot in the 90th minute, Australia immediately had a new iconic World Cup qualifying moment - think Aloisi, think Kennedy, think Redmayne.
“We’ve had some big moments in qualifiers over the years... you can now add that to the list, that moment from Aziz Behich,” commentator Simon Hill said.
“The full-time whistle goes and barring a mathematical miracle Australia have qualified for their sixth World Cup finals.
“You cannot write this script, wow.
“Absolutely extraordinary, what a week he has had, lifting the A-League trophy with Melbourne City. Now he has almost sent his country to the World Cup.”
Despite Japan already qualifying for the World Cup and selecting a less than experienced squad for this clash, there was still some doubt as to whether Tony Popovic's Australia could beat their Asian arch-nemesis.
And for the majority of this match, those suspicions were confirmed with Australia looking uninspired often being required to defend within their own half as Japan dominated possession, particularly in the early stages.
Although, the Samurai Blue were unable to turn their dominance of possession into meaningful chances on goal only generating one shot on target in the first half.
At the start of the second half, the Socceroos attempted to be more attacking with the ball, but Japan reasserted their first-half dominance.
This would be more evident with Japan bringing on the likes of Takefusa Kubo who is known as ‘The Japanese Messi’ and Yuma Suzuki who provided the Samurai Blue with an extra gear in attack towards the end of the game.
With the game looking like it would be a 0-0 draw, the Socceroos would create a chance in the last minute through forward Riley McGree turning his defender inside out and cutting the ball into the middle of the penalty area.
It appeared to have had gone to no one with Behich running back to strike the ball. But he managed to beat the outstretched hand of Kosei Tani and hand the Socceroos one of the most famous victories in their history.
Speaking post-game, Socceroos coach Popovic was proud of the result but remains focused on completing the qualification period on a high.
"Beating Japan, doing it at home and the last minute, you couldn't have scripted it any better," Popovic said.
"We still have got a game to go. The emotions are high of course. We're very proud at the moment.
“I'm sure every Australian that has seen this game is a proud Australian tonight.
“We don't want to deny anyone of that joy. But we still have a job to do in Saudi Arabia, and we want to finish well."
The result sees Australia maintain second place in Group C after Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain 2-0.
The Socceroos will head to Jeddah to face Saudi Arabia in their final match of the third-round qualification on Wednesday morning.
All they'll need to do is avoid a heavy defeat.
