Australia reached the round of 16 under the guidance of Guus Hiddink in Germany, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Italy in rather controversial fashion.
Despite the nature of their exit, brought about by Francesco Totti’s 95th-minute penalty, the Socceroos’ efforts have become the benchmark for the national team, one they’ve been unable to match in the years since.
Graham Arnold served as assistant coach during Hiddink’s tenure, and, according to Behich, has challenged his current crop to surprise the nation and, not only get out of the group but achieve Australia’s best-ever result at a World Cup.
"We really want to make a statement," Behich told SBS Sport. "We want to be one of the greatest Socceroos teams ever.
"It’s something that we’ve said from the beginning. It’s been a long campaign, we’ve done it the tough way, but I always say, us Australians, when our backs are against the wall is when we’re the best. That’s just the mentality we’ve had, especially with football."
Behich has become an integral part of the Socceroos setup since making his debut in 2012, having amassed 52 caps; including 26 since Arnold took the reins following the World Cup in 2018.
The 31-year-old featured in all but five of Australia’s 18 qualifiers for the Qatar edition, before clocking 90 minutes in their AFC play-off win over the United Arab Emirates, and 119 minutes in the intercontinental play-off against Peru.
With one World Cup campaign already under his belt, securing a second is now the top priority for the Dundee United left-back who professed “it would mean everything” to be on the plane.
"Having a taste of the experience in Russia, representing Australia, it just pushed me more to make sure I’m still playing at a high level, performing, so that I’ve got my hand up to get selected.
"It’s been pushing me until now so I’m really eager to get one foot in the door."
Arnold is expected to announce his 26-man squad one week out from Qatar’s curtain-raiser in Al Khor, with two days then separating the Socceroos from their first group game against defending champions France.
Tunisia and Denmark will round out Group D, but Behich, buoyed by his own experience, is desperate to tackle them fresh off the kind of start his compatriots managed in 2006.
Those stunning three points against Japan in Kaiserslautern set the tone for Australia’s fairytale run to the knockouts and it remains a piece of history the defender wants to be a part of, if not rewrite.
"After playing at one World Cup myself, I want to go one better than they did," Behich explained.
"Because they did so well, you want to be part of that history and what they did was a stepping stone for Australian football, so that’s one memory that always sticks in my head."
"I have played more than 50 games now," he added. "And it’s about giving my best for the country and the team.
"It’s about making sure I’m super fit, playing week in, week out for my club, and I know when I’m doing that, I’m at my best. So, no doubt, I’m pushing myself to do that and give the best Aziz possible for the country."
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