The brutal miss Aziz Behich thought might define a short career is instead the blessing in disguise that set him on the path to something special.
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See subscription optionsA 19-year-old Behich had the chance to score a desperately late winner for Melbourne Victory against Sydney FC in the 2009-10 grand final.
But instead of heading or kicking the ball into goal from close range, he attempted to chest it home - and missed.
Victory ultimately lost the game via a penalty shootout and Behich was among the players cut at season's end.
It could have broken Behich. Instead, he went back to the Victorian state league with Green Gully, got another shot at Melbourne Heart, now City, and kicked off a remarkable career for club and country as a left-back.
Fifteen years later, he'll captain City against Victory in Saturday's decider at AAMI Park.
"I was a young kid. I didn't even have a professional contract at the time," Behich told AAP.
"So when I look back at that, I look at it with a positive mindset, because the way my parents taught me was one door closes, another opens.
"It was a blessing in disguise and a door closed, that chapter closed. Then Melbourne Heart gave me that opportunity.
"So I thank God every day that that did happen. Because I don't know where my career (would have) took a turn there if things went the other way.
"So I don't look at that in any bad or good way. I just take it as it was an experience, I was a young kid, and I'm grateful for what Heart did for me at the time and gave me another chance.
"At the time of being a young kid, you do think: 'Oh, my God, the world's come crashing down on me.'
"But when I look back at it now, it's all part of the journey and my story."
The journey since has been incredible for Behich, who is cool, calm and collected off the field and a fiercely competitive winner with white line fever on it.
Behich, 34, has been a Socceroos mainstay, played at two World Cups, is attempting to reach a third, and won the 2015 Asian Cup.
He has played against Lionel Messi, been club teammates with Cristiano Ronaldo and experienced both the European and Asian Champions Leagues - along with pumping stadiums and a Super Lig title in Turkey.
But leading City to a grand-final triumph would be a special way to come full circle.
"It'd be up there, definitely," he said.
"I don't want to think too far ahead. I've never done that in my career.
"But if I was to think about it, even if I wasn't captain, just to win something with the club that I love so much would mean everything to me."
Australian Associated Press
