Australian midfielder determined to defeat former club to help CAHN participate in Asian Champions League

Stefan Mauk is determined to put the past behind him and join CAHN to defeat Adelaide United, his former club, thereby aiming for a ticket to the AFC Champions League Elite.

Australian midfielder Stefan Mauk is looking forward to a special encounter with Adelaide United, where he once played, determined to win with Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN) to get closer to the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE).

Mauk still can't forget the regret of last season. At that time, CAHN had an impressive journey in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two), but had to stop due to using an ineligible player, including Mauk himself. However, the midfielder born in 1995 believes that the present moment does not allow him and his teammates to dwell on the past. “What happened last season was truly unfortunate, but now the whole team is focusing on the big opportunity ahead. If CAHN qualifies for the ACLE, we will have the chance to compete against top Asian clubs.”, Mauk shared.

What is special is that this season, Mauk permanently moved to CAHN and immediately had to face Adelaide United, his former club. This is a scenario that the Australian midfielder admitted he never imagined. “I never thought I would be in this situation. Last season, my loan contract didn't even have a clause allowing me to face the parent club. But when I officially signed with CAHN, I didn't expect the first opponent to be Adelaide.”

The reunion becomes even more special as Mauk's family and friends will be in the stands to watch the match. However, this time the Australian midfielder is no longer on Adelaide's side. “Perhaps this is the only time I hope Adelaide loses. When facing your former club, you often have extra motivation to win. I will give my best for the current team, win, and bring joy to the fans.”

Mauk also appreciates the development of Vietnamese football during his time playing in the V.League. According to him, the A-League emphasizes strength and physicality, while the V.League is increasingly improving in professional quality and competitiveness.

For CAHN, the match against Adelaide United means more than a reunion. A victory will help the Vietnamese representative get closer to the goal of qualifying for the ACLE group stage. The playoff match takes place at 4:30 PM on August 11.