For Ajak Riak, Adelaide United’s week in Western Australia was about much more than pre-season minutes.
It was a return home, a chance to play in front of family and friends for the first time in years and, by the end of the trip, another important step forward after a frustrating first season in red.
Riak capped the Reds’ seven-day stay in WA by scoring in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Perth Glory in Northam, meeting Joey Garuccio’s cross to restore United’s two-goal advantage shortly after entering at half-time.
For the Perth-raised striker, it made an already meaningful trip that little bit sweeter.
“It was a much-needed good trip away,” Riak said.
“It was good to go back home, back to Perth. Having some friends come to the game was exciting.
“It’s been a long time since I played in WA, since I’ve been overseas, so it was good to play at home and get back in the team.”
It was Riak’s first time playing in Western Australia for another club and, after several years spent building his career abroad, an opportunity his family has rarely had.
“First time to play there in about five years, so it was really good,” he said.
“Family hasn’t been able to watch me, obviously being overseas and stuff, so it was a great trip overall.”
Riak’s journey back to Australia has taken him through several very different football environments.
After leaving PSS Sleman in Indonesia, he joined Moldovan powerhouse Sheriff Tiraspol in 2024, featuring in UEFA competition before moving to Uzbekistan Super League side AGMK in February 2025. Adelaide United then brought the South Sudan international back to Australia in January 2026.
His first months with the Reds, however, never quite allowed him to build sustained momentum.
An injury shortly after his arrival interrupted his introduction to the A-League, before another setback in April ruled him out during the closing stages of the campaign and Finals Series.
That context made Saturday’s 45 minutes particularly significant.
“I’m a bit relieved,” Riak said.
“It’s good to be having a proper pre-season now and get a good run of games.
“Going out for so long last year, back-to-back hamstring injuries was tough.
“That was the first 45 minutes in almost five months, so it was just a relief knowing that the body’s in good condition, I’ve had a good block of pre-season and I’ve been feeling good.”
And the goal certainly did not hurt.
Riak arrived at the back post midway through the second half to convert Garuccio’s delivery, scoring Adelaide’s third in front of a Northam crowd of more than 1,000.
With another competitive fixture now in his legs, the 25-year-old believes he is approaching the new campaign in some of the best physical condition of his career.
“I’m probably the fittest I’ve been in a long time, actually,” he said.
“I’m just really feeling great overall.”
It leaves Riak determined to make up for lost time.
Competition for Adelaide’s centre-forward position is healthy, with Riak working alongside Anselmo de Moraes, Brody Burkitt and Mitchell Smith during pre-season.
Riak sees that battle as a positive.
“It’s very competitive,” he said.
“Obviously, as a striker there’s only one position, but we’re all just trying to be involved.
“Everyone’s working hard in training.”
There has also been value away from the pitch.
A full week together in Western Australia gave the group a rare extended period on the road before the season, with training, two competitive hit-outs and team activities all helping strengthen connections.
“We did a few team activities, which was nice,” Riak said.
“It was good to have the team out there. It was an exciting trip overall. I really enjoyed it.”
Now attention turns towards another journey, this time to Thailand for Adelaide’s next AFC Champions League Two assignment.
For Riak, it comes with a very different feeling to the one that surrounded much of last season.
After spending much of his first season trying to get himself onto the pitch, Riak finally feels ready to show Reds supporters what he can do.
