Melbourne City captain Aziz Behich has urged the Socceroos to replicate their performance from Friday's 1-1 draw with Brazil when the teams meet again at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Tuesday night.
Australia led for most of the first match in Townsville before Bournemouth forward Rayan scored a 95th-minute equaliser to deny Tony Popovic's side a win over the five-time World Cup champions. Nestory Irankunda had put the Socceroos ahead with a free kick at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
"Obviously, there is a bit of disappointment," Behich said. "Conceding last kick of the game and from a set piece, which something we've been good at since the bosses taken over."
Behich, who captains Melbourne City, played the full 90 minutes against Brazil, his first appearance since the Socceroos' Round of 32 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in July. He lined up against Barcelona forward Raphinha during the match.
"Yeah, look, it was a good performance," Behich said. "But yeah, a lot of positives from the game but the challenge is we've set the bar high for ourselves as a playing group, and you know it was good the other night, but we need to be better."
Behich said trust within the squad had allowed Australia to take the game to Brazil rather than sit back.
"You know we trusted each other, and we just took the game on and I think when you do that against an opponent like that, you earn the respect," he said. "We can't shy away from the way we want to play our football. A lot to work on still, a lot to improve on. But I think it was a good first step."
Speaking to media on Tuesday lunchtime, Behich, 35, said he still felt physically capable of playing at the top level for club and country.
"Yeah, look, you know, I'm always someone that takes pride in looking after my body," he said. "Even on holidays, I don't get carried away, and I think that's why I'm still going now."
He said his fitness data at Melbourne City backed that up.
"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 said. "As long as I feel great, and look, I'm a player that's always honest with myself, so I know when I'm not at a level that I should be. But at the moment I feel like I've still got a lot in the tank to give."
Behich said he was targeting selection in the Socceroos squad for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The rematch with Brazil is the last international assignment before Behich returns to Melbourne City for the 2026/27 A-League Men season. City, the reigning champions, open the campaign away to Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium on Saturday, October 17.