A-Leagues gun likened to European superstar and Socceroo: ‘Irankunda but bigger’

If there was a moment that summed up the potential of Ariath Piol, it was his brilliant solo goal against Western Sydney Wanderers on New Year’s Day.

Forget his unbelievable bicycle kick against Sydney FC earlier in the Isuzu UTE A-League. Against the Wanderers, the 20-year-old Macarthur Bulls forward bullied his opponent as he outmuscled and outpaced Western Sydney defender Alex Bonetig before composing himself and producing an ice-cold finish.

It continued Piol’s breakout season with the Bulls in 2024-25. The talented Australian has scored three league goals in nine appearances this season, though he has only started four games.

He also caught the attention of Danish legend Thomas Sorensen, who starred in the Premier League before finishing his career with Melbourne City in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

On this week’s episode of A-Leagues Download, Sorensen likened him to another South Australian product – 18-year-old Socceroos sensation Nestory Irankunda, who this week completed a loan move to Swiss outfit Grasshoppers from German giants Bayern Munich.

“Just the physical ability,” said Sorensen on Total A-Leagues. “Sometimes you see that, but they can’t quite work it or make it sort of into an advantage.