Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich played a key role in the Socceroos’ commanding 5-0 victory over Indonesia on Thursday night, as Australia resumed its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in style.
Starting and playing a full 90 minutes, Behich delivered an industrious performance on his 77th international cap.
The experienced left-back was sharp at both ends of the pitch, making a number of crucial defensive interventions while also providing an attacking threat down the flank.
The Socceroos started slowly at the Sydney Football Stadium but quickly found their rhythm. Martin Boyle opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and just two minutes later, Australia doubled its lead with a swift attacking move.
Melbourne-born midfielder Jackson Irvine made it 3-0 before halftime, capping off a dominant first-half display. Irvine wasn’t done there, completing his brace with a brilliant header in the second half, as the Socceroos cruised to a well-deserved win.
While Behich featured prominently, City’s Kai Trewin will have to wait for his first Socceroos cap after remaining an unused substitute.
Marco Tilio was not named in the matchday squad but both will be eager to make an impact in the second match of the international window next week.
The Socceroos will next face China away on Tuesday night, in what shapes up as another crucial fixture. Despite the dominant win over Indonesia, Australia remains just one point ahead of Saudi Arabia in Group C, making every result vital in the race to qualify for the World Cup.
Images all courtesy of Football Australia // Socceroos.
FIXTURE DETAILS
China PR v Australia
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, Hangzhou
Kick-off: 7.00pm local / 10.00pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+
