# Nawaf Al-Temyat

Nawaf Bander Nawaf Al-Temyat (Arabic: نواف بندر نواف التمياط; born 28 June 1976) is a Saudi Arabian former footballer who played as a midfielder.

## Club career

Al-Temyat played his entire club career with Al-Hilal, starting in 1994 and retiring in 2008. In 2000, he was nominated Asian Player of the Year. A series of injuries prevented him from playing between 2001 and 2004. His last game with Al-Hilal was in 2008. He had a retirement match, which was played between Al Hilal club against Italian side Inter Milan in Riyadh, King Fahd International Stadium on 2 January 2010.

## International career

On 17 May 1998, he debuted for the national team in a friendly match against Namibia. Several days later Al-Temyat was called for the FIFA World Cup in France. He featured just in a single match at the tournament, in a draw against South Africa and showed promising level. One year later, he played also at the FIFA Confederations Cup. His team achieved a fourth place. Al-Temyat scored a goal against Mexico and gained two assists versus Egypt and Brazil respectively.
The best moment of his international career came during the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. Saudi Arabia achieved a second place, losing to Japan in the final. He was awarded to the best XI of the tournament. Two years later, Al Temyat went to the FIFA World Cup as a central figure and the biggest star of his team. Saudi Arabia failed to gain any point nevertheless.

## Style of play

A creative and naturally gifted central midfielder, Al-Temyat has been considered as one of the biggest talent in Saudi Arabia. Very decent stamina, good vision and technical qualities, as dribbling enabled him to dominate in centre of the midfield. During his career he was often compared to his predecessor Fahad Al-Bishi due to similar playing style, however possessed significantly better strength and pace. Despite high potential, he was plagued by injuries.

## Personal life

Al-Temyat studied sports management with CIES and graduated in 2018; he was president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation between 2018 and 2019.

## Career statistics
### International

| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 27 September 1998 | Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha, Qatar | Lebanon | 4–1 | Won | 1998 Arab Nations Cup |
| 2 | 25 July 1999 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico | Mexico | 1–5 | Lost | 1999 Confederations Cup |
| 3 | 24 May 2000 | Štadión pod Zoborom, Nitra Slovakia | Slovakia | 1–1 | Draw | Friendly |
| 4 | 25 September 2000 | Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Syria | 3–0 | Won | Friendly |
| 5 | 29 September 2000 | Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | United Arab Emirates | 6–1 | Won | Friendly |
| 6 | 20 October 2000 | Saida Municipal Stadium, Sidon, Lebanon | Uzbekistan | 5–0 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup |
| 7 | 24 October 2000 | Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon | Kuwait | 3–2 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup |
| 8 | 24 October 2000 | Sports City Stadium, Beirut, Lebanon | Kuwait | 3–2 | Won | 2000 AFC Asian Cup |
| 9 | 20 March 2002 | Stadio Comunale di Pistoia, Pistoia, Italy | South Africa | 1–0 | Won | Friendly |
| 10 | 14 November 2005 | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Ghana | 1–3 | Lost | Friendly |
| 11 | 15 March 2006 | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Iraq | 2–2 | Draw | Friendly |
| Correct as of 7 October 2015 |||||||

## Honours

Al-Hilal
* Saudi Premier League : 1996, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008
* Crown Prince Cup : 2000, 2003, 2006
* Saudi Federation Cup : 1996, 2000, 2006
* Saudi Founder's Cup : 2000
* AFC Champions League : 2000
* Asian Cup Winners Cup : 1997, 2002
* Asian Super Cup : 1997, 2000
* Arab Cup Winners' Cup : 2000
* Arab Super Cup : 2001
* Gulf Club Champions Cup : 1998
Saudi Arabia
* AFC Asian Cup
** Runners-up (1) : 2000
* Arab Nations Cup
** Winners (1) : 1998
Individual
* Asian Footballer of the Year: 2000
* Arab Footballer of the Year: 2000