Ajak Riak
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ajak Chol Riak | ||
| Date of birth | 12 December 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Nairobi, Kenya[1] | ||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sheriff Tiraspol | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2019 | Bayswater City | ||
| 2019–2020 | Stirling Lions | ||
| 2021 | Olympic Kingsway | ||
| 2021–2023 | Inglewood United | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022 | Bentleigh Greens | 20 | (7) |
| 2023 | South Melbourne | 23 | (10) |
| 2023–2024 | PSS Sleman | 14 | (5) |
| 2024– | Sheriff Tiraspol | 2 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023– | South Sudan | 10 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 31 August 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 September 2024 | |||
Ajak Chol Riak (born 12 December 2000) is a South Sudanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Moldovan Super Liga club Sheriff Tiraspol.
Club career
[edit]Australia
[edit]Riak was born in Nairobi, Kenya before his family immigrated to Australia when he was just a child.[2] Playing for several clubs in the National Premier Leagues Western Australia youth divisions, Riak moved to Melbourne and signed with Bentleigh Greens, where he assisted the club to a Round of 16 spot in the 2022 Australia Cup, where despite Riak scoring a 86th minute consolation goal,[3] they were knocked out 2–1 by A-League Men heavyweights Sydney FC.[4]
Riak's strong performances for Bentleigh in both the Australia Cup, and the NPL Victoria saw former National Soccer League champions South Melbourne secure his signing for the 2023 season.[5] After further strong performances for South Melbourne throughout the 2023 NPL season, Riak secured his first move overseas, and ultimately professional contract when he signed for PSS Sleman in 2023–24 Liga 1.[6]
Indonesia
[edit]PSS Sleman announced Riak's signing in late November 2023, as a replacement for Ukrainian striker Yevhen Bokhashvili who had departed to sign for Sriwijaya.[7] His signing came alongside fellow African Australian Elvis Kamsoba who had recently been released from Iranian club Sepahan.[8] Riak's debut came in a 2–1 victory against Barito Putera, where Riak was praised highly for his performance.[9]
International career
[edit]Riak accepted a call up from South Sudan under Italian manager Stefano Cusin, making his full international debut against Congo in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[2]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of 31 August 2024
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bentleigh Greens | 2022 | NPL Victoria | 20 | 7 | 2[a] | 1 | – | 0 | 0 | 22 | 8 | |
| South Melbourne | 2023 | 23 | 10 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 23 | 10 | ||
| PSS Sleman | 2023–24 | Liga 1 | 14 | 5 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | ||
| Sheriff Tiraspol | 2024–25 | Moldovan Super Liga | 2 | 1 | – | 4[b] | 0 | – | 6 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 59 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 24 | ||
- ^ Appearance in Australia Cup
- ^ Three appearances in UEFA Europa League, one appearance in UEFA Conference League
International
[edit]- As of match played 5 September 2024
| South Sudan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 10 | 0 |
Style of play
[edit]Riak has been described as quick and strong player, especially during aerial duels courtesy of his height. In addition, he does possess a powerful finish.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Ajak Riak". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ a b c Bantara, Candra. "Profile of Ajak Riak, South Sudan National Team Bomber Who Joined PSS" (in Indonesian). IDN Times. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "WATCH: Youngsters shine as A-League duo secure Quarter Final Spots". Australia Cup. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Saleh, Mohammed. "Sydney FC, Macarthur FC advance to quarter-final of Australia Cup". The New Daily. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "The biggest NPL signings of 2023 so far". Herald Sun. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ "South Melbourne gun makes Indonesian move". Herald Sun. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Jumbadi, Serly. "Profile of Ajak Riak, Yevhen's Replacement Bomber Who Immediately Joined PSS". Detikjogja. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Sufiyanto, Tengku. "Elvis Kamsoba and Inviting Ripple to Make Their Debut, PSS Sleman Wants One More New Player". Bolaskor.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Chess, Dwi. "Invite Ripple to Continue the Positive Trend of Super Elang Jawa". Harian Jogja. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
External links
[edit]- Ajak Riak at Soccerway
- 2000 births
- Living people
- South Sudanese men's footballers
- South Sudan men's international footballers
- Australian men's soccer players
- Men's association football midfielders
- Kenyan emigrants to Australia
- South Sudanese refugees
- Refugees in Kenya
- Soccer players from Adelaide
- South Sudanese expatriate men's footballers
- Australian expatriate men's soccer players
- South Sudanese expatriate sportspeople in Indonesia
- Australian expatriate sportspeople in Indonesia
- Expatriate men's footballers in Indonesia
- Liga 1 (Indonesia) players
- Bentleigh Greens SC players
- South Melbourne FC players
- PSS Sleman players
- 21st-century Australian sportsmen