Ajak Riak
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
| 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 | PSS Sleman | ||
| Number | 10 | ||
| 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– | PSS Sleman | 14 | (5) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023– | South Sudan | 8 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 April 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 November 2023 | |||
Ajak Chol Riak (born 12 December 2000) is a South Sudanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga 1 club PSS Sleman and the South Sudan national team.
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 FC 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 FC.[7] His signing came alongside fellow African Australian Elvis Kamsoba who had recently been released from Iranian club Sepahan S.C..[8] Riak's debut came in a 2–1 victory against PS Barito Putera, where Riak was praised highly for his performance.[9]
International career[edit]
Despite also being eligible for Kenya and Australia, Riak accepted a call up from the 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 30 April 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 | ||
| Career total | 57 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 23 | ||
- ^ Appearance in Australia Cup
International[edit]
- As of match played 21 November 2023
| South Sudan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 8 | 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. 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. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "WATCH: Youngsters shine as A-League duo secure Quarter Final Spots". Australia Cup. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Saleh, Mohammed. "Sydney FC, Macarthur FC advance to quarter-final of Australia Cup". The New Daily. 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. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Sufiyanto, Tengku. "Elvis Kamsoba and Inviting Ripple to Make Their Debut, PSS Sleman Wants One More New Player". Bolaskor.com. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ^ Chess, Dwi. "Invite Ripple to Continue the Positive Trend of Super Elang Jawa". Harian Jogja. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
External links[edit]
- Ajak Riak at Soccerway