Aziz Behich to start for Socceroos against Oman
3 min readDespite Joel King’s memorable debut for Australia, the rookie has been replaced in the starting team for the Socceroos’ clash against Oman.
Aziz Behich will start for Australia against Oman despite rookie Joel King’s memorable Socceroos debut in the absence of the experienced left-back.
With Turkey-based Behich unable to fly to Melbourne last week because of a blizzard in Istanbul, 21-year-old King made his maiden Socceroos start in last Thursday’s 4-0 win over Vietnam at AAMI Park.
However, despite Graham Arnold describing the debut of King as “one of the best” he had seen, the Socceroos coach will bring Behich back into his starting 11 for the World Cup qualifier in Muscat on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
“Aziz will come back in because young Joel has had a really big week, emotionally,” Arnold said, with King’s move to Danish club Odense BK from Sydney FC having been announced on the weekend.
“You can just see it a little bit in his eyes that he’s pretty fatigued.
“I’ve never seen probably a more mature debut from a young kid in my life, where it’s a must-win World Cup qualifier, full house in Victoria, his debut and he didn’t miss a beat.
“The fact he’s now moved overseas, he’s done that in the last week as well. He’s in good shape, don’t get me wrong, but emotionally he’s gone through a lot in the last week.
“It’s great to have Aziz back.”
Apart from Behich, Arnold – who will be back in the Socceroos’ dugout after recovering from Covid-19 – will also have Ajdin Hrustic again available for selection after the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder was suspended for the match against Vietnam.
But Hrustic’s return to the starting team isn’t as certain following the impressive performances of playmakers Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy last week.
It’s doubtful Arnold will start Hrustic, Rogic and Mooy all together in the same side.
“Ajdin is obviously a quality player, and (whether) we start him or (whether) he comes on off the bench, the benefit of having five subs these days is great for us, because you can nearly replace the whole front line,” Arnold said.
“It’s great to have depth in those areas and in those roles.”
With each of the remaining 12 AFC nations having three World Cup qualifiers left to play, the Socceroos are in third spot in Group B, one point and one place out of an automatic qualifying berth for Qatar 2022.
However, with second-placed Japan hosting first-placed Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night, the Socceroos could be in the top two following their match in Muscat.
“We’ve got everything in our own hands. There’s no use thinking about Japan and Saudi Arabia at the moment – it’s all playing Oman and beating Oman,” Arnold said.
Possible Socceroos XI: Mat Ryan, Fran Karacic, Milos Degenek, Trent Sainsbury, Aziz Behich, Jackson Irvine, Ajdin Hrustic, Tom Rogic, Martin Boyle, Jamie Maclaren, Mathew Leckie.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – AFC Asian qualifiers – Road to Qatar (third round)
Oman v Australia
Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman
Wednesday 3am (AEDT)
TV: Live on Network 10