The son of Turkish Cypriots who settled in Melbourne, Aziz Behich grew up watching Turkish football, then made a name for himself in the country that was his home away from home.
It meant there were few people more excited than the veteran Socceroo when Turkey beat Kosovo 1-0 to seal their first World Cup berth in 24 years and an opening match against Australia.
And the Turkish diaspora in Melbourne's northern suburbs will be ready to watch a favourite son - even if they're not all supporting him.
"Where I grew up and where my parents still live in Meadow Heights, in Broadmeadows, they call it Mini Istanbul," Behich told AAP with a laugh.
"So I can imagine that place will be rocking.
"I'm already getting text messages from supporters in Turkey - but nice messages.
"Obviously, they're all saying that they're supporting me. Obviously, they want Turkey to win."
At least there are no split loyalties at home, with Behich's parents and sisters "Socceroos through and through".
A 13-year-old Behich watched the Socceroos lose to Turkey 1-0 at Docklands back in 2004.
He didn't think he'd have to wait 22 more years for Australia to meet Turkey again.
"It's exciting. I've been involved in the Socceroos since 2012, so that's about 14 years, and I've never had the opportunity to come up against Turkey," the 35-year-old said.
"I've still got friends in that squad that qualified, so I'm just happy for them."
After Behich enjoyed a breakout season with Melbourne Heart and made his Socceroos debut, Turkish club Bursaspor came calling in 2013.
The Melburnian was at Bursaspor for five-and-a-half years, won the Turkish Super Lig with Istanbul Basaksehir, went on loan at Kayserispor and had a stint at Giresunspor.
"Turkey's a big part of my life. I spent nearly 80 to 90 per cent of my overseas career there - so half my life I was living there, and I love the country. I love the people," Behich said.
"I enjoyed my time there. I've won the league there.
"It's a big part of my life, and obviously, I made a lot of friends over there in football."
Combative left-back Behich, 35, keeps tabs on Turkish football and his old teammates, including veteran goalkeeper Mert Gunok, Roma right-back Zeki Celik and attacker Irfan Can Kahveci.
"I'm just happy for them, but obviously I'm Australian, so all my focus is on us doing well and going one better than we did last World Cup," said Behich, who was shattered after the Socceroos finally bowed out to eventual champions, Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.
Juventus phenom Kenan Yildiz and Real Madrid gun Arda Guler headline the talent spread throughout world's No.22 side Turkey.
"They've got really a good crop that's come through and they're all playing at big clubs: Juventus, Real Madrid, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce. They're all at a high level," Behich said.
"But we've just got to focus on ourselves.
"We've played against the best in the world already and we've won and taken the best in the world right to the death. So it's going to be no different coming up against them.
"I"m full of confidence going into this World Cup that we're gonna do something real special."
To reach that opening game in Vancouver on June 13, Melbourne City skipper Behich knows he will need to be at his best for his club.
That continues when ninth-placed reigning A-League Men champions City attempt to kickstart their season against Western Sydney at AAMI Park on Saturday.
"It's a big game for us as a playing group and a club," Behich said.
"Obviously, the league hasn't planned out the way that we wanted to after the success we had last year, but we know we've still got it all to play for."
