Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Once adored by Adelaide United fans, Stefan Mauk will be “just another player” on his return to Coopers Stadium on Tuesday night.
Reds skipper Craig Goodwin is adamant his team won’t show any sentiment towards Mauk – now a star with Vietnamese club Cong An Hanoi – in an AFC Champions League Elite playoff.
“It’s I guess a little side story for him playing against the team and the city he’s fro, but … we look at it like he’s just another player, and that’s all we do,” Goodwin said on Monday.
Midfielder Mauk made 107 appearances in all competitions across three stints with Adelaide, with his third spell with the Reds ending in July last year when he joined Cong An Hanoi on loan.
The move became permanent in May this year when the Vietnamese club took the option to buy Mauk.
“I didn’t expect to ever come back here unless I was wearing an Adelaide United shirt, but the excitement with me as soon as it happened was as high as it can be,” 30-year-old Mauk said.
“I’m excited to be here, and it’s just the one time I’ll be hoping Adelaide United lose.
“The way I play is aggressive and wanting to win everything. If I’m playing my former side, it’s not a point to prove, but it’s enjoyable to play against people you know, and playing in front of family and friends is always exciting.
“I just want to do my job for the team, do everything I can to win the game, and hopefully at the end … we’ve done enough to win the match.”
The consolation prize for the loser of Tuesday’s battle will be a spot in the AFC Champions League Two.
However, it’s in the top-tier and more lucrative Elite competition where both clubs want to be.
“The club has never been in the Champions League Elite,” Mauk said.
“This season after being (Vietnamese) champions we have a massive opportunity for the club, for the city as well, and the organisation, to show that Vietnam is growing and becoming stronger, and I think we deserve to be there, but (Tuesday) night is the place to show it.”
The Reds became the first Australian club to reach an AFC Champions League decider, but were beaten 5-0 across two legs by Japanese club Gamba Osaka in 2008.
“It’ll be a great experience for a lot of our younger players,” veteran Goodwin said.
“It’s a great chance for more exposure to better opposition, better quality football and more games for us, which is nice as well.”
The Reds are also intent on bouncing back from their shock Australia Cup round-of-32 loss to NPL Victoria club South Melbourne last month.
“The disappointing result in the Cup gives us more motivation for this game,” Goodwin said.
