A-Leagues great Alex Brosque believes Golden Boot leader Noah Botic could be the answer to a long-standing Subway Socceroos problem.
Tony Popovic’s Socceroos are preparing to face Indonesia and China in 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifiers, with the Green and Gold second – nine points behind Japan, but only a point clear of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China on the road to next year’s showpiece.
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Calls for Western United star Botic to receive a maiden international call-up are growing louder amid his career-best season and the fact Australia have scored just six goals in six qualifying matches so far.
With a league-high 10 goals to his name, the 23-year-old has firmly catapulted himself into the selection mix and on this week’s episode of Total A-Leagues, former Sydney FC striker and Socceroo Brosque joined Sydney Morning Herald reporter and host Vince Rugari to discuss the benefits of a Botic call-up.
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“I think in the form that he’s in, he’s been scoring,” Brosque said. “I think he’s got seven in his last eight games, and it’s his presence in the box in all different situations.
“He’s got a fantastic strike, and he’s seen him score from long range in these areas. He makes good runs. He gets in between defenders when there’s good quality service.
“When you’ve got the likes of a Craig Goodwin potentially on the left, who can deliver the top of balls that a player like him thrives off, he gets in those positions. So if he can make the runs, he’ll get the service.
“I think that’s what we’re missing at the moment. I think with (Mitchell) Duke and (Kusini) Yengi, they give you a lot of hard work, a lot of running, a lot of physicality. Botic is a natural goalscorer, and that’s what we haven’t had in a long time.
“We’re seeking someone who can get us goals. It’s been the topic of most of the conversations heading into every single camp for a couple years now. Who’s going to get us the goals? Who’s our goalscorer? Who can we turn to when we need a big moment?
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“Yes, he’s young, but he’s shown that he’s ready for that step up, whether Popa goes to him already at this stage, given the importance of these games. I mean, I don’t mind the idea of putting (Mathew) Leckie as a nine, given what he can add and the quality he can give and have some good quality players and wingers around him.
“Irankunda, for me, has got to be back in that line-up. He’s in form. He’s playing well. The confidence he can bring into camp we can use at the moment. So either of those two I think should be starting.”
