Western United coach John Aloisi keen for Noah Botic to remain in the A-League for a while longer

One of the A-League’s brightest young talents has been rated a bolter for 2026 FIFA World Cup selection should the Socceroos qualify.

Socceroos legend John Aloisi has tipped in-form Western United striker Noah Botic to force his way into 2026 FIFA World Cup selection contention – provided he remains in the A-League for another season and a half.

Botic, 23, scored twice – including a sizzling long-distance strike – at Ironbark Fields on Friday night to propel United to a 3-1 win over Newcastle and increase his season goal tally to six.

Such form is sure to catch the attention of Socceroos coach Tony Popovic, as well as overseas clubs chasing Australian talent.

However, United coach Aloisi believes Botic should stay in the A-League until the end of next season to give him the best chance of playing for the Socceroos at next year’s World Cup.

“People might say that I’m being selfish because I’m coaching Western United, but I’d still love him to stay here a little bit longer,” Aloisi said.
“If he stays here and has a really good end of the season, and even a good season next year, if the Socceroos – which I believe they will – go to a World Cup, I think he’ll be in contention.

“If he goes early overseas, which when the opportunity does come, sometimes you can get lost in that period, and then he might not end up going to a World Cup.

“He still needs to improve his game and work on his game, and we’ll see more and more from him.

“He’s got six goals this season so far, and I know he can score a lot more.”

Noah Botic shoot from distance to score his second goal against Newcastle. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Botic was substituted in the second-half of United’s win with what seemed to be a groin issue.

However, Aloisi was confident the attacker would be fit for United’s next match, a January 29 home clash against Central Coast Mariners.

“I’m not really concerned. I’m pretty positive it’s more of a cramping thing. We’ve got a 12-day turnaround which is good,” Aloisi said.

United’s win over the Jets was the club’s sixth win in its past seven games.

“When the season started we had a confidence that we would do well. We didn’t start off by getting wins but our performances were good,” Aloisi said.

“As soon as we got that first win against Perth in round five (3-1 on November 22), the boys haven’t looked back at all.

“There have been a couple of losses in between, but the performances have been outstanding.”

United has confirmed the departure of second-choice goalkeeper Thomas Heward-Belle, who has been sold to Japanese second division club Montedio Yamagata for a fee understood to be about $100,000.

“Playing in Japan has been one of my dreams and I am really happy that this dream has come true,” said the 27-year-old gloveman, whose United contract was set to expire at the end of the season.

Heward-Belle was United’s preferred option between the posts during the club’s 2023-24 campaign, but has been on the bench since the start of this season, having lost his spot to Matt Sutton.

Originally published as Western United coach John Aloisi keen for Noah Botic to remain in the A-League for a while longer