In the 87th minute of a grueling derby against Melbourne City, one man stood up for Western United when his teammates needed him most.
At 21 years of age, Noah Botic’s stocks are continuing to trend upwards. The No.38 was quick to grab the ball when Ramy Najjarine’s cross was handled by Nuno Reis, placing it on the penalty spot with steely resolve in his eyes.
Face to face with former teammate Jamie Young, Botic had eyes only for the ball and where he was intending to thump it – in the bottom right corner of the net.
The striker oozed composure and confidence standing over the ball before striking it, a moment of assuredness that would perhaps be more fitting of a seasoned senior professional.
“100{f7db6ede402d28fb1a12606cc06d4603a4dfa924029062dcec9858e87a1c3778}, I’m always confident,” he told the Paramount+ broadcast after the match.
“When we get a penalty I know I’m going to take it 100{f7db6ede402d28fb1a12606cc06d4603a4dfa924029062dcec9858e87a1c3778}, because I’m a striker, it’s what you do. If you haven’t got confidence then you shouldn’t be taking them.”
“I knew, I went to the ball straight away.”
That confidence has been a couple of years in the making since Botic’s arrival at Western United in 2021, with his head coach sharing a story from Botic’s early days at the Club.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, John Aloisi detailed a moment that put into perspective how far his young striker had come.
“The first year he was here he played an NPL game, and we had a penalty and he didn’t take it,” he said.
“I said to him, ‘why didn’t you take that penalty?’ He said someone else wanted to take it, and I said to him ‘you’re a striker, want to score goals. Be that player to score those important goals.’ That’s how much he’s matured and grown.
“He’s only 21 but he’s still matured to the sense that he believes that he’s the one that can lead the line. We’ve got players that can help him with that, but he showed good composure when he was fatigued at the end.”
Botic will now carry this moment into the remainder of the season, one where he said he is aiming to reach double figures for the first time in his senior career.
Helping his side to pick up the first three points of the season, Botic said the win to kick things off would be a big boost to the side going forward.
“It gives us a lot of confidence. They’re a top side, finished first in the Premiership last season, made it to the Grand Final as well. We knew they were going to be a tough side, and we had to come out and start strong and finish strong,” he said.
Up next for Western United is an away trip to face Western Sydney Wanderers, with the prospect of starting the season with two straight wins for the first time in the Club’s history in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men.
After this dream start to the season, it’s time to get on board the Green and Black. Sign up to become a member today and be there every step of the way for an exciting season ahead.
