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Izwan Mahbud
Mohamad Izwan bin Mahbud (born 14 July 1990) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors and the Singapore national team. He was the third-choice goalkeeper of Singapore at the 2010 AFF Championship and broke into the first team as Singapore won the 2012 AFF Championship. Izwan was also the captain of the Singapore Selection XI during the 2015 Premier League Asia Trophy against Arsenal and Stoke City. Club careerYoung LionsIzwan began his professional football career with S.League club Young Lions in 2008 after playing at the National Football Academy. LionsXIIIn January 2012, Izwan joined the newly created club, LionsXll which compete in the Malaysia Super League. During his time with the LionsXII, Izwan helped the team win the 2013 Malaysian Super League and 2015 Malaysian FA Cup titles. During his time at the club, he was seen being used as a free kick taker during some of the club matches. Making headlines in Japan and stints with Matsumoto YamagaOn 16 June 2015, Izwan pulled a magnificent performance at the Saitama Stadium which shocked a 0–0 draw between Singapore and Japan. Izwan's heroic displays have drawn praise from Japanese fans and club coaches and also drew interest from several clubs, including newly promoted J-League 1 side Matsumoto Yamaga. Yamaga's Vice-president, Yoshiyuki Kato stated that he was very impressed by Izwan's concentration and ability and gave Izwan a one-week trial at Yamaga.[3] It was later revealed that uncertainty over his ability and the language barrier prevented Izwan from becoming the first Singaporean to play in the J.League, with the club expressing concerns that Izwan was not any better than the local players Yamaga had.[4] Heavily linked to Real SociedadOn 16 November 2015, Singapore goalkeeping coach, John Burridge said that David Moyes was thinking about signing Izwan to La Liga side, Real Sociedad as a back-up to first choice goalkeeper, Gerónimo Rulli but Moyes got sacked a week before so the deal didn't materialized. [5][6][7] Tampines RoversIn late 2015, when the decision was made by the Football Association of Malaysia to kick the LionsXII out of the Malaysian Super League, Izwan, along with former teammates Christopher van Huizen, Izzdin Shafiq, Hafiz Sujad and Firdaus Kasman linked up with former coach V. Sundramoorthy at Tampines Rovers.[8] Nongbua PitchayaAfter spending two years with Tampines Rovers, Izwan signed for Nongbua Pitchaya on 14 December 2017, becoming the second Singaporean to play in the Thai League 2, alongside compatriot and fellow goalkeeper, Hassan Sunny, who joined Army United for a second stint.[9] It was reported that Izwan took a pay cut to join the Thai side, underlining his fierce desire to try his talent overseas.[10] His move to Thailand was a successful one as he was named in FourFourTwo's Thai League 2 Team of the Season at the end of the 2018 season.[11] TratAfter spending two seasons in the Thai League 2, on 16 December 2019, Izwan signed for top-flight Thailand side Trat for the 2020 Thai League 1 season.[12] Hougang UnitedOn 27 June 2021, Izwan return to his home country after a long stint in Thailand by signing for the Singapore Premier League side Hougang United for the remainder of the 2021 season.[13] Izwan's Hougang debut didn't go as planned as the Cheetahs lost 4–1 to Tanjong Pagar United. Izwan couldn't preserve a point for his side against Albirex at home after conceding a lobbed goal by Takahiro Tezuka and ultimately lost to the title holders. Izwan picked up his first clean sheet for the Cheetahs in a 1–0 win against Young Lions Lion City SailorsOn 8 January 2022, Izwan joined the newly privatised Singaporean club, Lion City Sailors on a 2-year contract. He was used as a backed up goalkeeper behind national teammates, Hassan Sunny. In 2023, Izwan featured in all of the cup matches which he helped the club to win the 2023 Singapore Cup. Midway during the 2024–25 season, Izwan was chosen as the main choice goalkeeper replacing Zharfan Rohaizad after a couple of blunders throughout the season. Izwan also kept a clean sheet during the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two fixture against Chinese club Zhejiang Professional where he pulled a couples of saves in a 2–0 win. International careerIzwan made his international debut for Singapore in a friendly match against Chinese Taipei on 18 July 2011. He rose to prominence in 2011 when he started in goal for Singapore as they defeated traditional rivals Malaysia over a two-leg 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in the same month.[10] On 16 June 2015, Izwan made 18 saves as Singapore managed keep a clean sheet against Asian giants, Japan to a 0–0 draw in Saitama during a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier match.[10] On 12 June 2021, Izwan played managed to hold 3-time AFC Asian Cup winners, Saudi Arabia from scoring until the 83rd minute where Salem Al-Dawsari broke the deadlock. On 18 November 2024, Izwan returned to the starting line-up after a 3 years absence with the national team where he played in a 3–2 lost to Chinese Taipei. Career statisticsClub
International
HonoursClubLionsXII
Lion City Sailors
International
References
External links
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