Italy's Juventus, one of Europe's top football clubs and a World Stars Selection XI comprising some of the modern greats of the game will feature in UAE soccer great Adnan Al Talyani's testimonial match at the Zayed Sports City Stadium here on January 3, 2003.

Juventus boasts of some truly world class players including Alessandro Del Piero, Lilian Thuram, Nedved, Trezeguet, Montero, Buffon, Davids, Salas and Moreti while the All Star XI is expected to attract players like Romario, Thomas Hassler and a few other big players.

Adnan Al Talyani is one of the most famous names both in the UAE and the region and the star striker had a big hand in the UAE's greatest achievement in football so far- qualification for the 1990 World Cup finals.

Being organised under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture, by the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, the match is expected to be a fitting farewell to Talyani.

Former Juventus and Italian player Roberto Bettega, now the Club's Vice Chairman along with Adnan Talyani and officials from the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel announced the match at a press conference here on Tuesday night at the Hotel Inter Continental, Abu Dhabi.

Speaking at the press conference, Talyani said he was thankful to Sheikh Abdullah and Abu Dhabi Sports Channel for bringing one of the world's best sides to play.

"Not one match but looking at the big names who are going to play on January 3, I would like to play with them for a whole week," Talyani said.

"This is the first time we will be playing in the region. We in Juventus are aware that our club is well known in this part of the world and this trip will enhance our team. We are a global team and it is important for us to promote the game all over the world," said Bettega.

"With Abu Dhabi Sports Channel showing the Serie A live, we do have a lot of fans here. I do accept that the Italian league might not be as big and nice as some of the others but it is without doubt the most difficult one," he said.

Commenting on the Italian Super Cup which was staged in Tripoli this year, Bettega said it was a unique and successful experience.

"We would not mind repeating that exercise but for that we have to first win the league again. We are open to playing the match even here in Abu Dhabi," he said.

Juventus, who beat arch rivals AC Milan 2-1 in their last league match a just a point behind leaders Inter in the current Serie A league.

Commenting on the UAE and the facilities here, the former Italian ace player said, "The UAE is a big surprise for me to discover. Some of the players have been on private holidays and they are all keen to play here before the league actions begins on January 12. We are looking forward to this match," he said.

List of Honour

Juventus scroll of honour
Serie A winners (25 times)
- 1905, 1925-26, 30-31, 31-32, 32-33, 33-34, 34-35, 49-50, 51-52, 57-58,
59-60, 60-61, 66-67, 71-72, 72-73, 74-75, 76-77, 77-78, 80-81, 81-82, 83-84,
85-86, 94-95, 96-97, 97-98, 2001-02.
Coppa Italia (Nine times)
1937-38, 41-42, 58-59, 64-65, 78-79, 82-83, 89-90 and 1994-95.
League Cups (Three): 1995, 1997, 2002
Champions Leagues (Two): 1984-85, 95-96
European SuperCups (Two): 1976-77, 89-90, 92-93.
UEFA Cups (Three): 1976-77, 89-90, 92-93
InterContinental Cups (Two): 1985, 1996
Intetoto Cup (Once): 1999.