Mohamad Izwan bin Mahbud (born 14 July 1990) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liga 1 club Bali United 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 Mahbud
Izwan Mahbud with LionsXII in 2014
Personal information
Full name Mohamad Izwan Bin Mahbud[1]
Date of birth (1990-07-14) 14 July 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 9 12 in)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Bali United
Number 1
Youth career
2006–2008 National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Young Lions 63 (0)
2012–2015 LionsXII 54 (0)
2016–2017 Tampines Rovers 27 (0)
2018–2019 Nongbua Pitchaya 32 (0)
2020 Trat 3 (0)
2020–2021 Samut Prakan City 3 (0)
2021 Hougang United 10 (0)
2022–2025 Lion City Sailors 15 (0)
International career
2011– Singapore 59 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Singapore
Sea Games
Bronze medal – third place Naypyidaw 2013 Football
Asean Football Championship
Winner AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 2012
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15 December 2024

Izwan was also the captain of the Singapore Selection XI during the 2015 Premier League Asia Trophy against Arsenal and Stoke City.

Club career

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Young Lions

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Izwan began his professional football career with S.League club Young Lions in 2008 after playing at the National Football Academy.

LionsXII

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In 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 Yamaga

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On 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 Sociedad

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On 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 Rovers

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In 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 Pitchaya

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After 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]

Trat

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After 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 United

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On 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 Sailors

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On 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 career

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Izwan 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 statistics

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Club

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As of match played 25 September 2024. Caps and goals may not be correct.
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup
Asia Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Young Lions 2008 5 0 - - - - 5 0
2009 9 0 - - - - 9 0
2010 24 0 5 0 1 0 30 0
2011 25 0 25 0
Total 63 0 5 0 1 0 0 0 69 0
Club Season Malaysia
Super League
Malaysia
FA Cup
Malaysia Cup Asia Total
LionsXII 2012[14] 11 0 1 0 8 0 20 0
2013[15] 21 0 1 0 8 0 30 0
2014[16] 22 0 2 0 6 0 30 0
2015 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 54 0 4 0 22 0 0 0 80 0
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup
Asia Total
Tampines Rovers 2016 18 0 4 0 0 0 9 0 21 0
2017 17 0 2 0 0 0 7 0 26 0
Total 35 0 6 0 0 0 16 0 47 0
Club Season Thai League T2 Thai FA Cup Thai League Cup Asia Total
Nongbua Pitchaya 2018 0 0 - - - - 0 0
2019 32 0 0 0 1 0 33 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Trat 2020 3 0 - - - - 3 0
Total 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Samut Prakan City 2020 3 0 - - - - 3 0
Total 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Others Asia Total
Hougang United 2021 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Total 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Lion City Sailors 2022 8 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2023 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
2024–25 7 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 9 0
Total 15 0 9 0 1 0 1 0 26 0
Career total 160 0 23 0 24 0 10 0 206 0
  • Young Lions and LionsXII are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.
  • Young Lions withdrew from the Singapore Cup and Singapore League Cup in 2011 due to scheduled participation in the 2011 AFF U-23 Youth Championship.

International

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No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 18 July 2011 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore   Chinese Taipei 3-2 (won) Friendly
2 23 July 2011 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore   Malaysia 5-3 (won) 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
3 28 July 2011 Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Malaysia 1-1 (draw) 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round
4 2 September 2011 Tuodong Sports Center, Kunming, China   China 1-2 (lost) 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round
5 7 October 2011 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore   Philippines 2-0 (won) Friendly
6 2 September 2011 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore   Jordan 0-3 (lost) 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round
7 1 June 2012 Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Singapore   Hong Kong 0-1 (lost) Friendly
8 8 June 2012 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore   Malaysia 2-2 (draw) Friendly
9 15 August 2012 Jurong West Stadium, Jurong, Singapore   Hong Kong 2-0 (won) Friendly
10 11 September 2012 Thuwunna YTC Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar   Myanmar 1-1 (draw) Friendly
11 16 October 2012 Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Choa Chu Kang, Singapore   India 2-0 (won) Friendly
12 25 November 2012 Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Malaysia 3-0 (won) 2012 AFF Championship
13 28 November 2012 Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Indonesia 0-1 (lost) 2012 AFF Championship
14 1 December 2012 Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam, Malaysia   Laos 4-3 (won) 2012 AFF Championship
15 8 December 2012 Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines   Philippines 0-0 (draw) 2012 AFF Championship
16 12 December 2012 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore   Malaysia 1-0 (won) 2012 AFF Championship
17 19 December 2012 Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Singapore   Thailand 3–1 (won) 2012 AFF Championship
18 22 December 2012 Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand   Thailand 0–1 (lost) 2012 AFF Championship

Honours

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Club

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LionsXII

Lion City Sailors

International

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References

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  1. ^ "U23 Young Lions". Football Association of Singapore. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  2. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Izwan Mahbud". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Izwan for Yamaga? Club's vice-president optimistic on signing". 6 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Matsumoto Yamaga reveal why they didn't sign Izwan Mahbud". The New Paper. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Moyes was "tracking" Singapore GK Izwan". ESPN.com. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Izwan's ready for the big leagues". TODAY. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  7. ^ andrew (17 November 2015). "'Moyes talked to Izwan Mahbud'". Football España. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Stags land perhaps their biggest fish, Izwan Mahbud". FourFourTwo. 29 December 2015. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  9. ^ "Singapore goalkeeper Izwan signs for Thai League 2 club". FourFourTwo. 14 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  10. ^ a b c hermesauto (14 December 2017). "Football: Izwan inks deal with Nongbua, Singapore's leading goalies will feature in Thailand next year". The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  11. ^ "Lions in Thailand: Zulfahmi & Baihakki's day out; Izwan named in Team of the Season". FourFourTwo. 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  12. ^ "Izwan Mahbud signs for Trat FC | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Izwan Mahbud signs for Hougang United - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  14. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2012 season". LionsXII official website. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  15. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2013 season". LionsXII official website. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  16. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2014 season". LionsXII official website. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
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