Australia have desperately searched for a world class striker since the end of Mark Viduka's career but Paul Reid believes the Socceroos may have finally found one in Noah Botic.
The Rockdale product has been on fire at the FIFA under-17s World Cup in Brazil, leading Australia through to the knockout stage. Botic scored four goals in Australia's three group games including both goals in the Joeys' 2-1 win over Nigeria that saw them advance to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides.
The Joeys lost their opening match 2-1 to Ecuador before fighting back to secure a 2-2 draw with Hungary.
Australia then scored one of the country's biggest results at an under-17s World Cup, downing the 2013 and 2015 champions for the first time in seven attempts at this level.
The Joeys play France at 10am on Thursday morning (AEDT) in the round of 16.
If they are to advance to the quarter-finals the Joeys will need Botic to fire and Reid believes Australian football may have discovered a future star.
Reid was coach at NPL 1 club Rockdale City when Botic played at the Suns. The now Sydney FC assistant coach had Botic training with his first grade squad early last season.
Botic has since earned a move to Bundesliga club Hoffenheim in Germany and Reid told the Leader he immediately saw the young gun's potential.
"I haven't seen a player like him in a long time. I just have a feeling he will make it. He'll play for the Socceroos for years to come as long as he stays injury free," Reid said.
"I really do believe he has what it takes. You can just see it in a player. I was at Rockdale for seven years, watching NPL first grade and under-20s football no one really stood out for me. Then I saw Noah and I thought this kid has something.
"I just have that feeling he will make it in Europe. Not the lower leagues, he's got the attributes to play in the top tier, the big European leagues. He's a goal scorer.
"Some people say we haven't had a Viduka since Viduka. He's a different player to Mark Viduka but he can hold the ball up, he's strong for his age but then he's quick and makes smart runs. For a striker they are great attributes to have. He's scored regularly for every team he's played for. He has that eye for goal."
Reid knows what it takes to make it in Europe as a player, enjoying a distinguished career with English clubs Bradford City and Brighton & Hove Albion. He was also capped twice by the Socceroos and returned to Australia where he made more than 70 appearances in the A-League.
And Reid said Botic had the necessary mentality to succeed in the cut-throat world of professional European football.
"Living in a different country is always tough. You've got to be pretty focused and set yourself goals. I think Noah will be fine with that thanks to his experiences with the Joeys," he said.
"I've seen a lot of talented footballers who didn't make it and a lot to do with it is attitude. They didn't put in the hard work, thought they were better than they were, things got tough and they fell away. It's pretty ruthless over there, everyone wants to be a pro footballer in Europe. Noah will have to get used to that.
"He wants to be a pro footballer and he's got that drive to make it. I'm not surprised he's at Hoffenheim and doing really well over there, playing for their under-19s and scoring goals. When I got this role at Sydney I spoke to his dad again to ask what was happening because I wanted to get him here.
"He's very determined but not arrogant which is another good thing. Sometimes you get players if they're picked in Australia teams early on, going to World Cups, scoring goals, they can get a bit arrogant. But he's a down to earth kid, he's not like that at all. He works had in training, doesn't cause a fuss, has a really good attitude."
As for Botic's success at the World Cup Reid is not surprised and expects him to continue to make the most of his opportunity to put himself in the shop window for some of the biggest clubs in world football.
"I wouldn't be surprised if that's why Hoffenheim signed him. If he goes to the World Cup and performs really well then bigger teams will come in for him. It's an opportunity for all the players," he said.
"Sydney FC have four players in that Joeys squad and it's great for the club and those boys. But these sort of tournaments you can make a name for yourself and put yourself in the window. Because there are going to be scouts from all the big clubs watching players. It's an opportunity to put your best foot forward to get a contract at a big club in Europe."
