1. Early life and background
Adnan Al-Talyani's journey into football began in his hometown of Sharjah, where his natural talent quickly became apparent.
1.1. Childhood and beginnings in football
Born in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates on 30 October 1964, Al-Talyani started his sporting activities by joining the Al Shaab club's volleyball team in 1979. However, his passion for football was evident as he spent his free time playing in the streets of Sharjah with friends and family. A significant turning point occurred in 1979 when he participated in an annual club tournament, scoring numerous goals that caught the attention of Sheikh Faisal bin Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the owner of Al Shaab. Sheikh Faisal convinced Al-Talyani to join the football team, which he did in 1980, playing alongside his older brother, Nasser Al Talyani, who was a midfielder for the same team.
1.2. Family
Adnan Al-Talyani is a father to three sons: Hamdan, Hamad (born 1995), and Mohammed (born 1998). All three of his sons participated in his official retirement celebration in 2003, marking a significant family moment in his career.
2. Playing career
Adnan Al-Talyani's football career spanned two decades, marked by his unwavering loyalty to his club and his significant contributions to the national team.
2.1. Club career
Al-Talyani's club career is notable for his status as a one-club man, dedicating his entire professional playing time to Al Shaab CSC.
2.1.1. Al Shaab CSC
Al-Talyani officially joined the Al Shaab Club football team in 1980, after initially being part of their volleyball team in 1979. He remained with the club for 20 years, until his retirement from club football in 1999. Throughout his tenure, he made 232 appearances, scoring 129 goals, and played a central role in the club's successes. Despite receiving numerous lucrative offers from other clubs, strict regulations at the time prevented him from transferring, solidifying his legacy as a devoted player for Al Shaab. His contributions helped the club achieve significant honours, including winning the UAE President's Cup in the 1992-93 season and the UAE Super Cup in 1993. He also played a key role in Al Shaab's two UAE First Division League titles in 1992-93 and 1997-98, and was part of the team that finished as runner-up in the 1994-95 Asian Cup Winners' Cup.
2.2. International career
Al-Talyani's international career with the United Arab Emirates national football team was extensive and highly impactful, making him one of the most celebrated figures in Emirati football history.
2.2.1. Debut and early international career
Adnan Al-Talyani was first selected for the UAE national team in 1982. His call-up came under the guidance of Heshmat Mohajerani, the former coach of the Iranian national team, who took the helm of the UAE squad. Al-Talyani quickly established himself as a vital player, contributing to the team's early successes, including helping the U-19 national team win the 1982 West Asia U-18 Championship. He officially retired from international football in 1997, concluding a remarkable career with 161 international appearances and 60 official goals, making him the all-time leader in both categories for the UAE. As of March 2016, his 161 caps placed him among the top ten male footballers worldwide with 100 or more international caps.
2.2.2. Major tournaments
Al-Talyani played a crucial role in the UAE national team's most significant achievements on the international stage, particularly their qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup and their strong performance in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup.
His contributions were instrumental in the UAE's qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, which remains the most important achievement in the history of Emirati football. In the first round of qualification, he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory against Kuwait, helping the UAE take the lead in their group. He then led the team to a 4-1 victory over Pakistan, securing their qualification for the second stage. In the final stage, Al-Talyani scored in the 88th minute against China, turning a 1-0 deficit into a crucial 2-1 victory. His second goal in the final stage secured a 1-1 draw with South Korea in the last round, which earned the UAE their sixth point and their first-ever qualification for the World Cup. At the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals in Italy, Al-Talyani, wearing jersey number 10, participated in all three of the UAE's matches against Colombia, Germany, and Yugoslavia.
Six years after their World Cup debut, the UAE hosted the 1996 AFC Asian Cup for the first time. At 32 years old, Al-Talyani was a veteran of the "Generation 90" alongside goalkeeper Muhsen Musabah, leading a team that also featured emerging talents like Munther Ali. He scored two vital goals in the tournament: one against Kuwait in a 3-2 victory, which is remembered as one of the most unforgettable goals in UAE history, and another in a 2-0 win against Indonesia. The UAE reached the final, facing Saudi Arabia in front of 60,000 fans at Zayed Sports City Stadium. The match went into extra time with a goalless tie, but Al-Talyani had to be substituted due to fatigue after playing the full 90 minutes in the semi-final against Kuwait. The UAE ultimately lost the final in a penalty shootout.
Al-Talyani also contributed to the UAE's fourth-place finish in the 1992 AFC Asian Cup and their three runner-up finishes in the Arabian Gulf Cup.
3. Honours and achievements
Adnan Al-Talyani's career was decorated with numerous team and individual accolades, solidifying his status as a legendary figure in Emirati football.
3.1. Club honours
With Al Shaab CSC, Al-Talyani achieved several significant team honours:
- UAE President's Cup: 1992-93
- UAE Super Cup: 1993
- UAE First Division League: 1992-93, 1997-98
- Asian Cup Winners' Cup: Runner-up 1994-95
3.2. International honours
Representing the United Arab Emirates national football team, Al-Talyani contributed to the following achievements:
- FIFA World Cup: Participation in 1990
- AFC Asian Cup: Runner-up 1996; Fourth Place 1992
- Arabian Gulf Cup: Three-time Runner-up
- West Asia U-18 Championship: Winner 1982 (with the U-19 national team)
3.3. Individual awards
Al-Talyani received numerous individual recognitions throughout his career:
- UAE Football League Top Scorer: 1984-85, 1986-87 (three times overall)
- Asian Cup Winners' Cup: Best Player 1994-95
- Best Arabic Player: 1989
- Asian Footballer of the Year: 3rd place in 1990
- UAE First Division League Top Scorer: 1992-93
- UAE Football League Best Player: 1992-93
- UAE Player of the Century
4. Career statistics
Adnan Al-Talyani's career statistics highlight his prolific goal-scoring ability and remarkable longevity at the international level.
4.1. International match records
Al-Talyani holds the record for the most international appearances for the United Arab Emirates national football team with 161 caps and is also their all-time leading goal scorer with 60 official goals. The following table details his international goals:
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 August 1982 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | IndonesiaIndonesian | 1-1 | 2-1 | Merdeka Tournament |
| 2 | 2-1 | |||||
| 3 | 10 October 1983 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Iraq | 1-1 | 2-2 | 1984 Summer Olympics AFC qualification |
| 4 | 2-2 | |||||
| 5 | 14 November 1983 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Bahrain | 1-1 | 1-2 | Friendly match |
| 6 | 10 March 1984 | Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat, Oman | Kuwait | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1984 Gulf Cup |
| 7 | 12 March 1984 | Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat, Oman | Qatar | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1984 Gulf Cup |
| 8 | 24 October 1984 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Oman | 4-0 | 8-0 | 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 9 | 6-0 | |||||
| 10 | 26 October 1984 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Nepal | 3-0 | 11-0 | 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 11 | 7-0 | |||||
| 12 | 9-0 | |||||
| 13 | 28 October 1984 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Sri Lanka | 1-0 | 5-1 | 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 14 | 3-0 | |||||
| 15 | 4-1 | |||||
| 16 | 4 December 1984 | Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore | India | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1984 Asian Cup |
| 17 | 7 April 1985 | Bahrain | Syria | 1-0 | 4-0 | Friendly match |
| 18 | 2-0 | |||||
| 19 | 5 August 1985 | Bahrain | Algeria | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly tournament |
| 20 | 20 September 1985 | Al-Rashid Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Iraq | 1-0 | 2-3 | 1986 World Cup qualification |
| 21 | 27 September 1985 | King Fahd Stadium, Taif, Saudi Arabia | Iraq | 2-0 | 2-1 | 1986 World Cup qualification |
| 22 | 24 March 1986 | Bahrain National Stadium, Manama, Bahrain | Iraq | 2-2 | 2-2 | 1986 Gulf Cup |
| 23 | 2 April 1986 | Bahrain National Stadium, Manama, Bahrain | Saudi Arabia | 2-0 | 2-0 | 1986 Gulf Cup |
| 24 | 7 April 1986 | Bahrain National Stadium, Manama, Bahrain | Qatar | 2-0 | 2-3 | 1986 Gulf Cup |
| 25 | 21 September 1986 | Daegu Stadium, Daegu, South Korea | Pakistan | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1986 Asian Games |
| 26 | 23 September 1986 | Daegu Stadium, Daegu, South Korea | Thailand | 2-1 | 2-1 | 1986 Asian Games |
| 27 | 25 September 1986 | Daegu Stadium, Daegu, South Korea | Iraq | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1986 Asian Games |
| 28 | 30 January 1988 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Japan | 1-0 | 2-0 | Friendly match |
| 29 | 7 February 1988 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | North Yemen | 2-0 | 2-1 | 1988 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 30 | 13 February 1988 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | India | 2-0 | 3-0 | 1988 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 31 | 17 March 1988 | King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Oman | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1988 Gulf Cup |
| 32 | 17 November 1988 | Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | Jordan | 2-0 | 2-1 | Friendly match |
| 33 | 3 February 1989 | Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | Kuwait | 1-0 | 1-0 | 1990 World Cup qualification |
| 34 | 10 February 1989 | Islamabad, Pakistan | Pakistan | 3-0 | 4-1 | 1990 World Cup qualification |
| 35 | 17 October 1989 | National Stadium, Singapore | China | 2-1 | 2-1 | 1990 World Cup qualification |
| 36 | 28 October 1989 | Darul Makmur Stadium, Kuantan, Malaysia | South Korea | 1-1 | 1-1 | 1990 World Cup qualification |
| 37 | 14 Feb 1990 | Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Sweden | 2-1 | 2-1 | Friendly match |
| 38 | 30 May 1992 | Al Ain, United Arab Emirates | Bahrain | 3-0 | 3-1 | 1992 Asian Cup qualification |
| 39 | 20 February 1993 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Bulgaria | 1-3 | 1-3 | Friendly match |
| 40 | 8 April 1993 | Kyoto, Japan | Sri Lanka | 2-0 | 4-0 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 41 | 28 April 1993 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Sri Lanka | 2-0 | 3-0 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 42 | 30 April 1993 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Thailand | 2-0 | 2-1 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 43 | 3 May 1993 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Bangladesh | 1-0 | 7-0 | 1994 World Cup qualification |
| 44 | 6-0 | |||||
| 45 | 3 October 1994 | Athletic Stadium, Miyoshi, Japan | Japan | 1-0 | 1-1 | 1994 Asian Games |
| 46 | 5 October 1994 | Hiroshima Stadium, Hiroshima, Japan | Myanmar | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1994 Asian Games |
| 47 | 2-0 | |||||
| 48 | 9 October 1994 | Bingo Athletic Stadium, Onomichi, Japan | Qatar | 2-2 | 2-2 | 1994 Asian Games |
| 49 | 11 October 1994 | Regional Park Stadium, Hiroshima, Japan | Kuwait | 1-1 | 1-2 | 1994 Asian Games |
| 50 | 3 November 1994 | Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Qatar | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1994 Gulf Cup |
| 51 | 9 November 1994 | Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Kuwait | 2-0 | 2-0 | 1994 Gulf Cup |
| 52 | 19 March 1996 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | South Korea | 2-2 | 3-2 | Friendly match |
| 53 | 22 October 1996 | Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman | Kuwait | 2-1 | 2-1 | 1996 Gulf Cup |
| 54 | 19 November 1996 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Uzbekistan | 2-1 | 4-2 | Friendly match |
| 55 | 3-1 | |||||
| 56 | 4-1 | |||||
| 57 | 26 November 1996 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Syria | 1-1 | 1-1 | Friendly match |
| 58 | 7 December 1996 | Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Kuwait | 2-2 | 3-2 | 1996 Asian Cup |
| 59 | 10 December 1996 | Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | IndonesiaIndonesian | 2-0 | 2-0 | 1996 Asian Cup |
| 60 | 26 April 1997 | Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | Jordan | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1998 World Cup qualification |
| 61 | 27 September 1997 | Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Uzbekistan | 3-1 | 3-2 | 1998 World Cup qualification |
| 62 | 17 December 1997 | King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Czech Republic | 1-6 | 1-6 | 1997 Confederations Cup |
5. Legacy and retirement
Adnan Al-Talyani's career left an indelible mark on Emirati and Asian football, culminating in his official retirement from the sport.
5.1. Legacy
Al-Talyani's legacy is deeply intertwined with the greatest achievements in UAE football history: the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification and the runner-up finish in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. He was a crucial part of both milestones, which remain the nation's most significant footballing accomplishments to date. Consequently, he is widely remembered as his nation's finest player and one of Asian football's greatest icons. His enduring impact was further recognized when he was named the UAE's Player of the Century.
5.2. Retirement
Adnan Al-Talyani officially retired from professional football in January 2003. To honor his remarkable career, a testimonial match was held, featuring Italian champions Juventus against an All-Star team composed of players from various countries. This event underscored his significant standing in the global football community.
6. External links
- [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/talyani-intl.html Adnan Khamees Al-Talyani - Century of International Appearances at RSSSF]