Latest news with #AzizBehich
Edinburgh Reporter
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Defender Service joins Edinburgh City
Ambitious Edinburgh City have added another player to their squad ahead of the new Scottish League Two campaign. Defender Jake Service (pictured) has put pen to paper on a deal and the centre-half comes to the Meadowbank club after playing in the Lowland League for The University of Stirling for the last four years. Stranraer-born Service was part of the team which last season played Dundee United in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup at Tannadice in January 2023. United won 3-0 thanks to goals from Aussie full-back Aziz Behich after 45 minutes, Jamie McGrath with an overhead kick after 68 and a lob from Greg Middleton in 81 minutes. The university side won the East of Scotland Cup in season 2023/24 against Edinburgh City and he reunites with former team-mate, James Stokes, who scored the winning goal in that game. An Edinburgh City spokesman confirmed this is the first time that the 23-year-old has played at Scottish Professional Football League level. Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Socceroos embrace Saudi challenge with World Cup spot tantalisingly close
The reputation he has cultivated may be austere, but Tony Popovic isn't made of stone. So when Aziz Behich scored what will go down as one of the more famous goals in Socceroos history last week, there was scope to celebrate and enjoy the moment amid a late night back at the team hotel. Players and coaches stayed up to see if Bahrain would do them a favour by taking points off Saudi Arabia, but when the Green Falcons secured a 2-0 win in Riffa, focus shifted to getting to bed, recovery and the task that awaited them in Jeddah. As Neil Warnock once said: 'By all means enjoy it, but enjoy it by being fucking disciplined.' Related: Not pretty, not fun but Socceroos slog ends with miraculous win amid late drama | Joey Lynch Advertisement Five days on, as Australia's men prepare to face Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium with a spot in the World Cup on the line, there are scant signs of any kind of physical or mental hangover from that evening in Perth. Largely restricted to their accommodations overlooking the Red Sea due to the fierce June heat buffeting the city – a heat that feels amplified when bouncing off the vast network of concrete highways and construction sites dotting around – there has been little to distract players from the task at hand. Their lives have become a cycle of rest, recovery, media for the unlucky few, and training. Given they maintain a three-point buffer on Saudi Arabia as well as a healthy advantage in goal difference and goals scored, all they need to do to punch their tickets to North America is to avoid conceding five goals or more. Not a crazy expectation for the equal-second most miserly defence in Asia playing against the equal-second most toothless attack. Yet almost as soon as this fixture was confirmed, none within the Australian camp have been willing to countenance any kind of narrative of complacency, damage limitation, parking of buses, or rearguard actions. The message is that qualification is not yet secured, and that means they're not in Jeddah to manage a draw or narrow loss. The Socceroos are out to win. 'We're going to be just as desperate as they are,' Riley McGree said. 'We want to win, we want to play our best football, and we want to put it beyond doubt as soon as possible. Their desperation will be matched just as much with our desperation and our performance.' Advertisement Saudi coach Hervé Renard, for his part, knows the scale of the task at hand and that, in all likelihood, his side will be forced into a fourth stage of qualification in October. The swelling of the World Cup to 48 teams has removed some of the existential dread that defeat in a game like this – as the Socceroos experienced against the Saudis just over three years ago – may have once carried. 'For a lot of people, we are already in the playoffs in October. This, I feel, is what 99% of the people are thinking,' said Renard. 'So we don't have anything to lose. We just have to be ready to enjoy it and to satisfy our fans.' But this safety net means there is also little to disincentivise his side coming out of the blocks breathing fire, seeking an early goal that would bring the crowd into the game, heap pressure on the Australians, and potentially set the stage for a miraculous turnaround. It's something Socceroos players have noted – the intense pressure they'll likely be under in the opening stages. It is here, perhaps, where the biggest danger lies. The fear is they don't try and play the game but, with the potential reward (or disaster) so significant, get caught up in the sense of occasion. Saudi authorities have made tickets free for the fixture, ensuring the stands will be packed with partisan support and, if there is an early breakthrough, the already cauldron-like stadium could begin to reach boiling point. Advertisement 'That's always challenging. But when you come to this level of football and you're representing your country, these are the challenges that you must face,' said Popovic. 'We've faced many together since I've become the coach… and we have one more now. I'm sure that young boys will embrace it. We have good, experienced players who can help them be ready. 'These are the moments that you want as a footballer. These are moments you want as a nation. We're excited. We embrace the challenge. We want to go to the World Cup. We're in a very good position. And tomorrow night, we understand we have to work extremely hard, but we have an opportunity to go directly to the World Cup, and we're confident that we can finish the job.'
The Guardian
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Socceroos embrace Saudi challenge with World Cup spot tantalisingly close
The reputation he has cultivated may be austere, but Tony Popovic isn't made of stone. So when Aziz Behich scored what will go down as one of the more famous goals in Socceroos history last week, there was scope to celebrate and enjoy the moment amid a late night back at the team hotel. Players and coaches stayed up to see if Bahrain would do them a favour by taking points off Saudi Arabia, but when the Green Falcons secured a 2-0 win in Riffa, focus shifted to getting to bed, recovery and the task that awaited them in Jeddah. As Neil Warnock once said: 'By all means enjoy it, but enjoy it by being fucking disciplined.' Five days on, as Australia's men prepare to face Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium with a spot in the World Cup on the line, there are scant signs of any kind of physical or mental hangover from that evening in Perth. Largely restricted to their accommodations overlooking the Red Sea due to the fierce June heat buffeting the city – a heat that feels amplified when bouncing off the vast network of concrete highways and construction sites dotting around – there has been little to distract players from the task at hand. Their lives have become a cycle of rest, recovery, media for the unlucky few, and training. Given they maintain a three-point buffer on Saudi Arabia as well as a healthy advantage in goal difference and goals scored, all they need to do to punch their tickets to North America is to avoid conceding five goals or more. Not a crazy expectation for the equal-second most miserly defence in Asia playing against the equal-second most toothless attack. Yet almost as soon as this fixture was confirmed, none within the Australian camp have been willing to countenance any kind of narrative of complacency, damage limitation, parking of buses, or rearguard actions. The message is that qualification is not yet secured, and that means they're not in Jeddah to manage a draw or narrow loss. The Socceroos are out to win. 'We're going to be just as desperate as they are,' Riley McGree said. 'We want to win, we want to play our best football, and we want to put it beyond doubt as soon as possible. Their desperation will be matched just as much with our desperation and our performance.' Saudi coach Hervé Renard, for his part, knows the scale of the task at hand and that, in all likelihood, his side will be forced into a fourth stage of qualification in October. The swelling of the World Cup to 48 teams has removed some of the existential dread that defeat in a game like this – as the Socceroos experienced against the Saudis just over three years ago – may have once carried. 'For a lot of people, we are already in the playoffs in October. This, I feel, is what 99% of the people are thinking,' said Renard. 'So we don't have anything to lose. We just have to be ready to enjoy it and to satisfy our fans.' But this safety net means there is also little to disincentivise his side coming out of the blocks breathing fire, seeking an early goal that would bring the crowd into the game, heap pressure on the Australians, and potentially set the stage for a miraculous turnaround. It's something Socceroos players have noted – the intense pressure they'll likely be under in the opening stages. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion It is here, perhaps, where the biggest danger lies. The fear is they don't try and play the game but, with the potential reward (or disaster) so significant, get caught up in the sense of occasion. Saudi authorities have made tickets free for the fixture, ensuring the stands will be packed with partisan support and, if there is an early breakthrough, the already cauldron-like stadium could begin to reach boiling point. 'That's always challenging. But when you come to this level of football and you're representing your country, these are the challenges that you must face,' said Popovic. 'We've faced many together since I've become the coach… and we have one more now. I'm sure that young boys will embrace it. We have good, experienced players who can help them be ready. 'These are the moments that you want as a footballer. These are moments you want as a nation. We're excited. We embrace the challenge. We want to go to the World Cup. We're in a very good position. And tomorrow night, we understand we have to work extremely hard, but we have an opportunity to go directly to the World Cup, and we're confident that we can finish the job.'
The Advertiser
08-06-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Saudi heat on as Socceroos approach date with destiny
The Socceroos are adamant the lure of a World Cup will help them overcome stifling heat and a fired-up Saudi Arabia outfit hell bent on causing chaos. Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday, inspired by a 90th-minute winner from defender Aziz Behich, has put the Socceroos within a whisker of snaring an automatic spot for the 2026 World Cup finals. There remains just one tiny step to go, and one the Socceroos should pass with flying colours - not losing to Saudi Arabia by five goals or more in Jeddah on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEST). Entering a match with the luxury of being able to lose by four goals and still progress presents a unique challenge in itself. The Socceroos have a simple answer to ensure there's no complacency - go in with a must-win mindset. "We haven't qualified. That's the reality of the situation," Socceroos defender Jason Geria said. "Yes, Saudi have a big task ahead of them if they're to qualify in the second automatic spot, but I think we're all approaching these games as if we have to win. "It's not just going to be a game where we can't concede X amount of goals. We're here to get three points. "We're expecting a very attacking, sort of hell-bent, relentless Saudi Arabia. "But we've played them before, we've watched their games, so we know how they attack and how they can be vulnerable as well." The Socceroos will have to deal with a hostile home crowd when they take on Saudi Arabia. And they're already dealing with extreme heat, with the maximum temperature in Saudi Arabia set to be around 39 degrees Celsius for every day the Socceroos are there. As for the minimum temperatures? A toasty 31 degrees. Not that the Socceroos will let a bit of heat get in their way. "For me, I think the will to win, the will to get to a World Cup, that can sort of get you through a 35-degree game," Geria said. "It can get you through moments. It can get you through times when you feel like it may be a bit too hot." Geria said the key would be holding off the Saudis for as long as possible. "The opening 15 minutes definitely, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy," Geria said. "It's definitely going to be one where the first 15 minutes, it's going to be the time for them to pile the pressure on us, to make us nervous, make us sweat, and see if they can mentally get ahead of us in the game. "But I think we're capable of keeping them to zero again." The Socceroos are adamant the lure of a World Cup will help them overcome stifling heat and a fired-up Saudi Arabia outfit hell bent on causing chaos. Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday, inspired by a 90th-minute winner from defender Aziz Behich, has put the Socceroos within a whisker of snaring an automatic spot for the 2026 World Cup finals. There remains just one tiny step to go, and one the Socceroos should pass with flying colours - not losing to Saudi Arabia by five goals or more in Jeddah on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEST). Entering a match with the luxury of being able to lose by four goals and still progress presents a unique challenge in itself. The Socceroos have a simple answer to ensure there's no complacency - go in with a must-win mindset. "We haven't qualified. That's the reality of the situation," Socceroos defender Jason Geria said. "Yes, Saudi have a big task ahead of them if they're to qualify in the second automatic spot, but I think we're all approaching these games as if we have to win. "It's not just going to be a game where we can't concede X amount of goals. We're here to get three points. "We're expecting a very attacking, sort of hell-bent, relentless Saudi Arabia. "But we've played them before, we've watched their games, so we know how they attack and how they can be vulnerable as well." The Socceroos will have to deal with a hostile home crowd when they take on Saudi Arabia. And they're already dealing with extreme heat, with the maximum temperature in Saudi Arabia set to be around 39 degrees Celsius for every day the Socceroos are there. As for the minimum temperatures? A toasty 31 degrees. Not that the Socceroos will let a bit of heat get in their way. "For me, I think the will to win, the will to get to a World Cup, that can sort of get you through a 35-degree game," Geria said. "It can get you through moments. It can get you through times when you feel like it may be a bit too hot." Geria said the key would be holding off the Saudis for as long as possible. "The opening 15 minutes definitely, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy," Geria said. "It's definitely going to be one where the first 15 minutes, it's going to be the time for them to pile the pressure on us, to make us nervous, make us sweat, and see if they can mentally get ahead of us in the game. "But I think we're capable of keeping them to zero again." The Socceroos are adamant the lure of a World Cup will help them overcome stifling heat and a fired-up Saudi Arabia outfit hell bent on causing chaos. Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday, inspired by a 90th-minute winner from defender Aziz Behich, has put the Socceroos within a whisker of snaring an automatic spot for the 2026 World Cup finals. There remains just one tiny step to go, and one the Socceroos should pass with flying colours - not losing to Saudi Arabia by five goals or more in Jeddah on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEST). Entering a match with the luxury of being able to lose by four goals and still progress presents a unique challenge in itself. The Socceroos have a simple answer to ensure there's no complacency - go in with a must-win mindset. "We haven't qualified. That's the reality of the situation," Socceroos defender Jason Geria said. "Yes, Saudi have a big task ahead of them if they're to qualify in the second automatic spot, but I think we're all approaching these games as if we have to win. "It's not just going to be a game where we can't concede X amount of goals. We're here to get three points. "We're expecting a very attacking, sort of hell-bent, relentless Saudi Arabia. "But we've played them before, we've watched their games, so we know how they attack and how they can be vulnerable as well." The Socceroos will have to deal with a hostile home crowd when they take on Saudi Arabia. And they're already dealing with extreme heat, with the maximum temperature in Saudi Arabia set to be around 39 degrees Celsius for every day the Socceroos are there. As for the minimum temperatures? A toasty 31 degrees. Not that the Socceroos will let a bit of heat get in their way. "For me, I think the will to win, the will to get to a World Cup, that can sort of get you through a 35-degree game," Geria said. "It can get you through moments. It can get you through times when you feel like it may be a bit too hot." Geria said the key would be holding off the Saudis for as long as possible. "The opening 15 minutes definitely, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy," Geria said. "It's definitely going to be one where the first 15 minutes, it's going to be the time for them to pile the pressure on us, to make us nervous, make us sweat, and see if they can mentally get ahead of us in the game. "But I think we're capable of keeping them to zero again."
Perth Now
08-06-2025
- Climate
- Perth Now
Saudi heat on as Socceroos approach date with destiny
The Socceroos are adamant the lure of a World Cup will help them overcome stifling heat and a fired-up Saudi Arabia outfit hell bent on causing chaos. Australia's 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday, inspired by a 90th-minute winner from defender Aziz Behich, has put the Socceroos within a whisker of snaring an automatic spot for the 2026 World Cup finals. There remains just one tiny step to go, and one the Socceroos should pass with flying colours - not losing to Saudi Arabia by five goals or more in Jeddah on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning AEST). Entering a match with the luxury of being able to lose by four goals and still progress presents a unique challenge in itself. The Socceroos have a simple answer to ensure there's no complacency - go in with a must-win mindset. "We haven't qualified. That's the reality of the situation," Socceroos defender Jason Geria said. "Yes, Saudi have a big task ahead of them if they're to qualify in the second automatic spot, but I think we're all approaching these games as if we have to win. "It's not just going to be a game where we can't concede X amount of goals. We're here to get three points. "We're expecting a very attacking, sort of hell-bent, relentless Saudi Arabia. "But we've played them before, we've watched their games, so we know how they attack and how they can be vulnerable as well." The Socceroos will have to deal with a hostile home crowd when they take on Saudi Arabia. And they're already dealing with extreme heat, with the maximum temperature in Saudi Arabia set to be around 39 degrees Celsius for every day the Socceroos are there. As for the minimum temperatures? A toasty 31 degrees. Not that the Socceroos will let a bit of heat get in their way. "For me, I think the will to win, the will to get to a World Cup, that can sort of get you through a 35-degree game," Geria said. "It can get you through moments. It can get you through times when you feel like it may be a bit too hot." Geria said the key would be holding off the Saudis for as long as possible. "The opening 15 minutes definitely, if we were to concede a goal, things could get a bit hairy," Geria said. "It's definitely going to be one where the first 15 minutes, it's going to be the time for them to pile the pressure on us, to make us nervous, make us sweat, and see if they can mentally get ahead of us in the game. "But I think we're capable of keeping them to zero again."
