Yousuf Al-Thunayan

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Youssef Al-Thunayyan
Personal information
Full name Youssef Al-Thunayyan
Date of birth (1963-11-18) November 18, 1963 (age 57)
Place of birth Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Winger / Attacking Midfielder
Youth career
1981–1983 Al-Hilal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–2003 Al-Hilal 350 (183)
National team
1986–1998 Saudi Arabia 81 (20)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Yousuf Al-Thunayyan (Arabic: يوسف الثُنيان‎, born November 18, 1963) is a former association football winger and attacking midfielder from Saudi Arabia. He spent all 21 seasons of his senior career at Al-Hilal FC. An elite playmaker, renowned for his elegance, vision, dribbling skills, ball control and technique, Al-Thunayyan was nicknamed "The Philosopher" due to his amazing abilities in terms of dribbling, unique goal scoring, and distribution. Therefore, he has been widely regarded as the greatest player in Saudi Arabia and Asia as well, and one of the greatest players of all time.

Due to his exclusivity to the Asian Continent, many people are still discovering the skills Yousuf Al Tunayan had to showcase Please review his video on cited reference[1]

Club career[]

Al-Thunayan played his entire club career for Al-Hilal, joining the first team in 1984 and retiring in 2005 after winning a total of 24 titles with the club.[citation needed] On 14 December 2005, Al-Hilal hosted Valencia in his farewell match.[2]

Asian Club Championship 1991 Winner, with Hilal Club Saudi Arabia
Asian Club Championship 1999-2000 Winner with Hilal Club Saudi Arabia

International career[]

During his active career, Al-Thunayan played 95 international matches and scored 33 goals for the Saudi Arabian national team. At the age of 34 he was selected for his only Football World Cup, and appeared in two games, scoring from the penalty spot in the 2-2 draw with South Africa.[3]

Asian Continental Titles Achievement with Saudia Arabia

Yousuf is a Unique player in the sense he represented Saudia in 3 Continental Asian Cup finals in row 1988, 1992 and 1996. Of Course, winning 2 out of 3 No Other Asian player has matched that Unique accolade in whole Asia

Saudia won Runner's Up spot in 1992 Asian cup.

1988 Asian Cup Doha

Yousuf was one of the Prominent players of 1988 Asian cup especially from Saudi Arabia's side. Taking over the starting forward role mid way thru the tournament coached by the famous coach Carlos Alberto [4] Periera.

He played in game vs Bahrain, in Group stages which tied 1-1.[5] He also played the important game vs China which Saudia won 1-0 [6]

He played the Semi Finals Game vs Arch nemesis Iran which Saudia won 1-0 [7]

He also played the Final Game vs South Korea which Saudia won on Penalties [8]

1992 Asian Cup Japan

This cup was renounced because the team went in without Majed Abdullah in Team, so it was chance for many new faces in Saudi Arabia to shine.

He played the group stage game vs China which Saudis tied 1-1, Yousuf scored the goal in the game [9]

He played the game vs Qater in group stages which Saudis again tied 1-1 [10]

Yousuf scored a goal in 4-0 Route of Thailand in last group stage game.[11] This match was vital to qualify for next stages of cup.

Yousuf lead the team, as they defeated UAE 2-0 in Semi Finals to reach the Finals of 1992 Asian cup.[12]

Saudia collected the Runner's Up medal in Final vs Japan. Yousuf played whole game in the Final.[13]

1993 Confederation Cup Appearance

The confederation cup was the last stop prior to Asian World Cup qualifiers for Saudi Arabia, and Yousuf played an instrumental role in it for Saudia. Saudia reached the finals of that first tournament which was than known as King Fahad Cup.

Saudia Beat USA 3-0, and Yousuf scored a brilliant goal himself.[14]

1996 Asian Cup UAE

When the tournament started Yousuf was on bench but that changed quickly after the loss to Iran.

Saudi Team got shocked in group stage game vs Iran which they lost 3-0, Yousuf played in that game as a Substitute [15]

Yousuf had a monumental game vs China in Quarter finals where Saudia were down 2-0, after China scored 2 early goals in minutes 6 and 16 . Yousuf scored a goal and made an assist and in end Saudia won the game 4-2 [16]

He played the game vs Iran in Semi Finals which was an epic rematch with their regional rivals considering that Saudia had lost to Iran 3-0. Saudia won the match on PK 4-3 [17]

Yousuf played the whole final and Saudia won the final beating UAE the host nation in final 4-2, with Yousuf Scoring a critical first Penalty Shot [18]

This was the second continental Asian Cup for Yousuf and Third for Saudi Arabia

1998 Arab Nations Cup Winning Squad Member

Yousuf collected the Trophy after winning the Championship with Saudia National team in tournament featuring, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco

Yousuf scored in the Semi Finals win game Saudia won 2-1 vs Kuwait. In finals he made an assist vs Qater to clinch the title for Saudia Arabia [19]

1998 World Cup appearance with Saudi Arabia

Yousuf for being the great player he was strangely only had a chance to play on the biggest stage, the world cup at almost the end of his career during his peaks in 88 and 92 Saudia Arabia failed to qualify for the 1986 world cup after winning 1984 Asian Cup Title and then failed to Qualify for 1990 world cup.

Yousuf appeared as a Substitute in game vs Denmark which Saudia Lost 1-0 Yousuf heroically scored from Penalty kick to earn Saudia a 2-2 draw vs South Africa to earn Saudis a solitary point in 1998 world cup. He captained the team in the game

International goals[]

[20]

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 25 February 1986 Khobar, Saudi Arabia  Wales 1–2 Lost Friendly
2 3 October 1986 Seoul, South Korea  Kuwait 2–2 Drew 1986 Asian Games
3 15 March 1989 Jeddah Saudi Arabia  Syria 5–4 Won 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
4 15 October 1992 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  United States 3–0 Won FIFA Confederations Cup
5 29 October 1992 Hiroshima, Japan  China PR 1–1 Drew 1992 AFC Asian Cup
6 2 November 1992 Hiroshima, Japan  Thailand 4–0 Won 1992 AFC Asian Cup
7 29 December 1995 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia  Kazakhstan 3–0 Won Friendly
8 29 December 1995 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia  Kazakhstan 3–0 Won Friendly
9 24 January 1996 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Kyrgyzstan 3–0 Won 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification
10 24 January 1996 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Kyrgyzstan 3–0 Won 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification
11 28 January 1996 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Yemen 4–0 Won 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification
12 28 January 1996 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Yemen 4–0 Won 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification
13 31 January 1996 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Kyrgyzstan 2–0 Won 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification
14 21 October 1996 Muscat, Oman  Bahrain 3–1 Won 1996 Gulf Cup of Nations
15 16 December 1996 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates  China PR 4–3 Won 1996 AFC Asian Cup
16 16 December 1996 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates  China PR 4–3 Won 1996 AFC Asian Cup
17 14 September 1997 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Kuwait 2–1 Won 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
18 24 June 1998 Bordeaux, France  South Africa 2–2 Drew 1998 FIFA World Cup
19 29 September 1998 Doha, Qatar  Kuwait 2–1 Won 1998 Arab Nations Cup
20 2 November 1998 Manama, Bahrain  Bahrain 1–1 Drew 1998 Gulf Cup of Nations

Honours[]

Club[]

  • Saudi Premier League : 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2002
  • Saudi King Cup : 1984, 1989
  • Crown Prince Cup : 1995, 2000
  • Saudi Federation Cup : 1987, 1996, 2000
  • Saudi Founder's Cup : 2000
  • AFC Champions League : 1991, 2000
  • Asian Cup Winners Cup : 1997
  • Asian Super Cup : 1997
  • Arab Champions League : 1994, 1995
  • Arab Super Cup : 2001
  • Gulf Club Champions Cup : 1986, 1998

International[]

  • AFC Asian Cup
    • Winners (2) : 1988, 1996
    • Runners-up (1) : 1992
  • FIFA Confederations Cup
    • Runners-Up (1) : 1992
  • Gulf Cup of Nations
    • Runners-up (1) : 1998
  • Arab Nations Cup
    • Winners (1) : 1998
    • Runners-up (1) : 1992

Individual[]

  • 1986, 1991-92 Asian Club Championship - Best player

Farewell match[]

Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia2–1Spain Valencia
Al-Qahtani Goal 30'
Al-Jumaan Goal 69'		 Regueiro Goal 80'
King Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
Attendance: more than 65,000

References[]

  1. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV-ulSPzVZ4
  2. ^ http://www.ciberche.net/histoche/partidos/5?mid=4110
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 15, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Carlos Alberto Parreira". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  5. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - Bahrain 1:1 (Asian Cup 1988 Katar, Gruppe 2)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  6. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - China 1:0 (Asian Cup 1988 Katar, Gruppe 2)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  7. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - Iran 1:0 (Asian Cup 1988 Katar, Halbfinale)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  8. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - Südkorea 4:3 (Asian Cup 1988 Katar, Finale)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  9. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - China 1:1 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Gruppe 2)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  10. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - Katar 1:1 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Gruppe 2)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  11. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - Thailand 4:0 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Gruppe 2)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  12. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - VA Emirate 2:0 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Halbfinale)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  13. ^ "Japan - Saudi-Arabien 1:0 (Asian Cup 1992 Japan, Finale)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  14. ^ "Intercontinental Champions Cup Saudi Arabia 1992 - USA 0:3 (0:0) Saudi Arabia - Overview - FIFA.com". 2015-09-13. Archived from the original on 2015-09-13. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  15. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - Iran 0:3 (Asian Cup 1996 VA Emirate, Gruppe B)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  16. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - China 4:3 (Asian Cup 1996 VA Emirate, Viertelfinale)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  17. ^ "Iran - Saudi-Arabien 3:4 (Asian Cup 1996 VA Emirate, Halbfinale)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  18. ^ "Saudi-Arabien - VA Emirate 4:2 (Asian Cup 1996 VA Emirate, Finale)". weltfussball.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  19. ^ , Wikipedia, 2019-07-25, retrieved 2019-12-04
  20. ^ Roberto Mamrud & Naim Albakr. "Sami Abdullah Al-Jaber - Century of International Appearances". RSSSF. Retrieved 2013-11-23.

External links[]

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