Awer Mabil, Osama Malik and Fábio Ferreira joined Jarrod Walsh for another edition of The Pitch at Home, brought to you by RAA.
The trio played together at the Reds between 2012 and 2015 and were all popular figures with the fans.
Mabil made his debut for the Club in January 2013 and went on to score nine goals in 52 games before departing for Danish Superliga outfit FC Midtjylland.
The 24-year-old’s career has gone from strength to strength since fulfilling his dream of playing in Europe and his impressive form in Denmark saw him receive his maiden Socceroos cap in 2018.
The winger gave a self-effacing response when asked to look at the trajectory his football path has taken after departing the Hyundai A-League in July 2015.
“Sometimes I sit back and just appreciate everything that I’ve gone through,” he admitted, who to date has four goals in 14 matches for the national team.
“Because if I didn’t go through whatever I went through, I wouldn’t be here right now where I am.
“I’m not saying I’ve made it anyway, but I’m on my journey and my journey is to enjoy life and work hard at every moment.
“Whether I’m at the Socceroos or whether I’m not, I’m just happy to have this opportunity to play this sport that I love and also meet great people along the way.”
Malik first appeared for the Reds at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup, but would not establish himself in the team until the 2011/12 campaign.
Versatility was one of his best strengths as Malik could operate anywhere in defence as well as a defensive midfielder.
However, he left the Reds for Melbourne City in January 2016 in a swap move which saw Stefan Mauk move in the opposite direction.
The move meant Malik missed out on winning the Championship after he was in the side that lost 4-1 in the semi-final at Coopers Stadium.
Malik said that United team was the best side he has faced domestically.
“I guess when you consider that most of my family are Adelaide United fans so at least they were happy when they won,” Malik said, who registered 110 appearances for Adelaide.
“But I think I knew from the semi-final when I think it was 4-1, Adelaide United beat Melbourne City, I knew pretty well in that game Adelaide United were going to go on and win it.
“Because in that game it was probably the best opponent I’ve come up against in my time in the A-League to be honest, they were flying.”
Meanwhile, Ferreira, affectionately known by his nickname ‘La Flecha’, revealed Cássio was his favourite Reds teammate away from the pitch, while Marcelo Carrusca was the greatest player he played with.
The Portuguese winger signed for the Reds ahead of the 2012/13 season and accumulated 54 games, netting 13 goals.
“The favourite teammate off the field I’m going to say Cássio,” Ferreira said.
“And the best player I played with, that’s tough. I’m going to say (Marcelo) Carrusca.”
