Subway Socceroos forward Adam Taggart has encouraged fellow Isuzu UTE A-League standout Noah Botic to maintain his impressive form for Western United, with hopes of earning a future spot in the national team.
Botic has been in sensational form this season in the Isuzu UTE A-League, notching up 11 goals, which currently puts him at the top of the competition’s scoring charts for 2024-25.
The young striker’s prolific scoring has placed him squarely in discussions regarding selection for Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic’s 26-man squad for this month’s 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China.
However, it appears that the sizzling Western United forward will have to wait a little longer for his maiden call-up to the senior Socceroos squad.
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Taggart was among ten players from the Isuzu UTE A-League chosen by Popovic for the March international window.
Having experienced fluctuations in his own selection destiny with the Socceroos, the captain of Perth Glory understands the disappointment of being left out and has urged Botic to find inspiration from his exclusion and to keep pushing himself to excel.
Botic registered his 11th goal of the season on Sunday during Western United’s dominant 6-2 victory over the Newcastle Jets. He celebrated his latest goal with a phone gesture, a subtle reminder of his omission from the Socceroos selection.
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“It’s a challenging situation for anyone performing well and eager for their chance,” Taggart commented.
“He clearly possesses a natural scoring ability and an excellent mindset. I’ve watched him develop over the last few years, and he has a fantastic mentor in John Aloisi, who can provide invaluable guidance given his own experience as a forward. I was fortunate to have worked with him too.”
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Taggart played under the current Western United head coach Aloisi during his time at Brisbane Roar in the 2018-19 season.
The reigning Golden Boot winner in the Isuzu UTE A-League joined Aloisi’s Roar at 24, just a year older than Botic is now.
“I believe he’s in a great position to keep progressing,” Taggart added.
“All I would advise is to keep going and not to relent. Maintaining this form is key, and it’s crucial he carries this momentum throughout his career.”
“I have complete faith in him to achieve remarkable things, and as a fellow striker, I’m eager to see that happen.”
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Botic is one of four young Aussie strikers vying for the Golden Boot in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season; his 11 goals currently lead the race, while Archie Goodwin, Nicolas Milanovic, and Adrian Segecic are all close behind with nine goals each after 23 rounds, tying for second alongside seasoned players Hiroshi Ibusuki and Joe Lolley.
Taggart believes that the rise of young Australian strikers, both in the Isuzu UTE A-League and internationally, bodes well for the future of Australia’s forward positions.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“As a more experienced player, I’ve genuinely enjoyed witnessing the success of the younger lads, particularly strikers, as it’s been a challenging position for the Socceroos for quite some time.”
“It’s wonderful to see several young players in the A-League and abroad scoring regularly. This is a very encouraging sign for the national team overall. I’m confident that if they continue performing, opportunities will arise for them.”
“As an older striker, I understand the difficulty of breaking through as a young player and achieving consistency in front of goal. So, it’s great to see this progress, and I look forward to watching them continue on this path.”
The Socceroos are currently sitting in second place in World Cup qualifying Group B and will face Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on March 20, followed by a match against China in Hangzhou on March 25.
Popovic’s squad will then confront Japan in June at Perth’s Optus Stadium, wrapping up what they hope will be a successful FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in Saudi Arabia on June 10.
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