Ajak Riak

Ajak Riak
Personal information
Full name Ajak Chol Riak
Date of birth (2000-12-12) 12 December 2000 (age 24)
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

Australia

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

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

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

Club

As of 31 August 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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
  1. ^ Appearance in Australia Cup
  2. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Europa League, one appearance in UEFA Conference League

International

As of match played 5 September 2024
South Sudan
Year Apps Goals
2023 8 0
2024 2 0
Total 10 0

Style of play

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

  1. ^ "Ajak Riak". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "The biggest NPL signings of 2023 so far". Herald Sun. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  6. ^ "South Melbourne gun makes Indonesian move". Herald Sun. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.