Return was 'special' for Cassio

Cassio has compared his feelings on his return to the Hyundai A-League fold last Saturday with how he felt during his first ever game as a professional.

Cassio has compared his feelings on his return to the Hyundai A-League fold last Saturday with how he felt during his first ever game as a professional.

The pocket rocket made his long awaited comeback to the Reds- senior team as he came off the bench for the last 30 minutes against the Jets after recovering from a quad tendon injury that seriously disrupted his pre season.

When you have been away from something you love doing for an extended period it always makes you appreciate it more when you can finally do it again.

Unable to play in any of United-s pre season trial matches or the first four rounds of the season, Cassio said his introduction to the field against the Jets took him back to a time over a decade ago when he was at Brazilian club Flamengo.

“It felt great. For me it was like playing my first game as a professional,” Cassio said.

“I felt so happy to be back, especially playing at Hindmarsh in front of our crowd - for me it was special.”

Since making his full recovery, Cassio has gradually been building up his match conditioning, having played two games for the Reds- Youth Team before his cameo last Saturday.

While he may not have had the ideal preparation coming into his seventh Hyundai A-League season, the dual Adelaide United Club Champion believes he is fit and capable of filling the vacancy left by fellow left back Michael Zullo who is in camp with the Socceroos.

“I feel good now. The last four months for me wasn-t easy but now I-m ready to go, I-ve been training hard and I-m ready to go,” Cassio said.

“If the coach opts to play me this weekend I-ll be ready and I-ll do my best for the club to try and win the game.”