CHIBA - As the sun peeked through the clouds to provide some warmth on a chilly morning at the JFA Yume Field, Lions goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud let out a cheer and exclaimed: "Finally, we have some sun."
He could well have been describing his football journey, too, as he is finally seeing some light after one of the darkest periods of his roller-coaster career.
Making a return to the national team after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his left knee in 2022 sidelined him for almost a year, the 34-year-old is hoping to rebuild his international career, having last played for the Lions in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Saudi Arabia in June 2021.
Ahead of Singapore's Oct 11 friendly against Tokyo Verdy, he told The Straits Times in Chiba: "Being back in the national team after so long, it feels like I'm reborn after the biggest injury in my career."
As he looks to impress national coach Tsutomu Ogura in the build-up to the Dec 8-Jan 5 Asean Football Federation Championship and add to his 54 caps, Japan brings back fond memories for Izwan, because it was where he reached one of the peaks of his career.
Having made his Lions debut in 2011, he went on to help Singapore win the Asean title the following year and claim the 2013 Malaysian Super League and 2015 Malaysian FA Cup with the LionsXII.
This story is from the October 11, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 11, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ride on China growth story but tread cautiously, say experts
S'pore investors can go for diversified portfolio of stocks or China-related plays
S'pore-based Shein reportedly adds more banks to arrange London listing
Shein has added more banks to help arrange its potential initial public offering (IPO) that could value the online fashion retailer at £50 billion (S$85 billion), potentially one of the biggest listings in London in recent years, people familiar with the matter said.
Job seeker support scheme will be reviewed quarterly
Manpower Minister not ruling out further expanding the initiative after it is rolled out in April 2025
C&C, Gogoro launch electric scooters and charging stations
Cycle & Carriage Singapore (C&C) and Gogoro officially launched battery-swop electric scooters and charging stations in Singapore on Oct 16.
Boeing to raise up to $33b as strike weighs on finances
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing unveiled measures meant to replenish its cash flow on Oct 15, including an intention to raise up to US$25 billion (S$33 billion), as it navigates recurrent production problems and a major US strike.
NZ inflation slows to lowest rate since early 2021
New Zealand's annual inflation rate fell sharply in the third quarter, returning to the central bank's target band for the first time in more than three years.
Why are tech companies in S'pore laying off people?
Restructuring, rising employment cost and slow growth forecast among factors
Workers at Samsung's Tamil Nadu factory end strike
Workers of Samsung Electronics' Indian unit have decided to end a strike at its factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the company said on Oct 15, ending a labour protest that had continued for more than a month.
Widower shared account info with 'women' online, but they were scammers
Shortly after his wife died, a man shared details of his bank accounts with people he met online who claimed to be women, only to find out that some of the accounts were later used to handle scam proceeds.
All SIT graduates to get transcript of transferable skills
Move to go beyond academic grades will document students' mastery of 18 skills