Jacob Mahler
{{short description|Singaporean footballer (born 2000)}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jacob Mahler
| image = 1 jacob mahler 2018.jpg
| caption = Mahler warming up before a match in the 2018 AFF Championship tournament
| full_name = Jacob William Mahler
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|04|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = Copenhagen, Denmark
| height = 1.85 m
| position = Defensive midfielder, centre-back
| currentclub = Muangthong United
| clubnumber = 8
| youthyears1 = 2017
| youthclubs1 = National Football Academy
| years1 = 2018–2023
| clubs1 = Young Lions
| caps1 = 73
| goals1 = 9
| years2 = 2023–2024
| clubs2 = Madura United
| caps2 = 34
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2024–
| clubs3 = Muangthong United
| caps3 = 2
| goals3 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2015
| nationalteam1 = Singapore U16
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2017
| nationalteam2 = Singapore U19
| nationalcaps2 = 11
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalyears3 = 2018
| nationalteam3 = Singapore U23
| nationalcaps3 = 21
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2018–
| nationalteam4 = Singapore
| nationalcaps4 = 12
| nationalgoals4 = 3
| club-update = 15 September 2024
| ntupdate = 21 November 2023
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|SIN}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|Merlion Cup}}
{{Medal|W|2019 Singapore|}}
}}
Jacob William Mahler (born 10 April 2000) is a professional footballer who plays either as a defensive midfielder or centre-back for Thai League 1 club Muangthong United. Born in Denmark, he represents the Singapore national team.
Club career
=Young Lions=
A youth product of the National Football Academy in Singapore, Mahler moved to Young Lions in 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org.sg/competitions/surprise-package-jacob-mahler-determined-seize-young-lions-opportunity/|title=Football Association of Singapore|website=www.fas.org.sg|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501213242/http://www.fas.org.sg/competitions/surprise-package-jacob-mahler-determined-seize-young-lions-opportunity|url-status=dead}} Mahler made his professional debut for Young Lions in a 1–3 Singapore Premier League lost to Geylang International on 4 July 2018.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/07/04/singapore/sleague/young-lions/geylang-united-fc/2753218/|title=Young Lions vs. Geylang International - 4 July 2018 - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}
Mahler was named the club captain from the 2019 season onwards.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=David |date=2023-10-16 |title=Indonesian stints give boost to Lions Jacob Mahler and Song Ui-young |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/indonesian-stints-give-boost-to-lions-jacob-mahler-and-song-ui-young |access-date=2024-02-26 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}
= Madura United =
On 19 May 2023, Mahler joined Indonesia Liga 1 club, Madura United becoming the 10th Singaporean to play in the Indonesian top-flight league.{{Cite web |last=Sultan |first=Aldi |date=2023-05-19 |title=Madura United tambah komposisi pemain asing usai daratkan Jacob Mahler |url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3547182/madura-united-tambah-komposisi-pemain-asing-usai-daratkan-jacob-mahler |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Antara News |language=id}} On 23 July 2023, Mahler scored his first goal for the club against Persis Solo coming from a set piece cross from Francisco Rivera.{{Cite web |title=Francisco Israel Rivera Jacob Mahler Gol, Persis Solo Tertinggal Madura United di Liga 1 Hari Ini |url=https://pontianak.tribunnews.com/2023/07/23/francisco-israel-rivera-jacob-mahler-gol-persis-solo-tertinggal-madura-united-di-liga-1-hari-ini |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Tribunpontianak.co.id |language=id-ID}} Mahler was named in three consecutive "Team of the Week" from gameweek 4 to gameweek 6.
= Muangthong United =
On 5 July 2024, Mahler moved to Thai League 1 club Muangthong United. On 25 August, he made his debut for the club in a 2–0 win over Ratchaburi.
International career
Mahler made his professional debut for the Singapore national team in a friendly 2–0 win over Fiji on 11 September 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.my/football/aff-suzuki-cup-football/11404/singapore-coach-fandi-ahmad-big-lung-mahler-is-a-true-professional-at-18/|title=Singapore coach Fandi Ahmad: "Big Lungs" Mahler is a true professional at 18|date=13 September 2018|access-date=20 September 2018|archive-date=20 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920083921/https://www.foxsports.com.my/football/aff-suzuki-cup-football/11404/singapore-coach-fandi-ahmad-big-lung-mahler-is-a-true-professional-at-18/|url-status=dead}} He scored his first goal for Singapore when he collected his second cap against Cambodia on 16 October 2018 in an eventual 1–2 win.{{Cite news|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/singapore-survive-phnom-penh-scare-seal-2-1-victory-over-cambodia|title=Singapore survive Phnom Penh scare to seal 2-1 victory over Cambodia|date=2018-10-16|work=FourFourTwo|access-date=2018-10-16|language=en-SG|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016180916/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/singapore-survive-phnom-penh-scare-seal-2-1-victory-over-cambodia|archive-date=2018-10-16|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/singapore-ratings-vs-cambodia-ikhsan-safuwan-shine-phnom-penh-victory|title=Singapore Ratings vs Cambodia: Ikhsan, Safuwan shine in Phnom Penh victory|date=2018-10-17|website=FourFourTwo|language=en-SG|access-date=2018-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018201812/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/features/singapore-ratings-vs-cambodia-ikhsan-safuwan-shine-phnom-penh-victory|archive-date=2018-10-18|url-status=dead}}
Mahler made his AFF Championship debut in the 2018 campaign on 9 November, with a 1–0 loss over Philippines.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-05 |title=Singapore announce their 23 man squad for the AFF Suzuki Cup {{!}} Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/singapore-announce-their-23-man-squad-for-the-aff-suzuki-cup/k93efqsms98b1mwqtzo9cgfo5 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=www.goal.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Fandi 'disappointed' not to get draw after Lions defeat in Philippines - Football Association of Singapore |url=https://www.fas.org.sg/fandi-disappointed-not-get-draw-after-lions-defeat-philippines |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=www.fas.org.sg |language=en-US}}
In 2022, Mahler was called up the for 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-19 |title=Singapore men's U23 football provisional squad for SEA Games announced, including 4 overaged players {{!}} Youthopia |url=https://youthopia.sg/read/singapore-mens-u23-football-provisional-squad-for-sea-games-announced-including-4-overaged-players/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419105314/https://youthopia.sg/read/singapore-mens-u23-football-provisional-squad-for-sea-games-announced-including-4-overaged-players/ |archive-date=19 April 2022 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=}} He was named captain but was later withdrawn from the team after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during his club's match in the 2022 season.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=SEA Games: Footballers realistic about gold-medal hopes, will take a game at a time |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/sea-games-footballers-realistic-gold-medal-hopes-010717183.html |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-SG}}
After a five years absence, on 8 September 2023, Mahler made his return to the senior squad in the starting line up against Tajikistan.
On 12 October 2023, Mahler scored his second international goal against Guam in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
On 21 March 2024, Mahler equalised the scoreline to 2–2 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against China.
Personal life
Mahler was born in Copenhagen, Denmark to a Danish father and Singaporean mother. His family moved to Jakarta, Indonesia due to his parents work but soon returned to Singapore when he was four.
He attended St. Joseph's Institution (SJI){{Cite web|url=https://www.tnp.sg/sports/singapore-football/breakthrough-year-teen-footballer-mahler|title=Breakthrough year for teen footballer Mahler, Latest Singapore Football News - The New Paper|first=Dilenjit|last=Singh|website=www.tnp.sg}} before graduating from Temasek Polytechnic (TP) with a Diploma in Aerospace Electronics.
Mahler is a big fan of Manchester United and had cited that he used to emulate the playing style of his favourite player, Paul Scholes.
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 15 September 2024}}
| style="text-align:center" class="wikitable" | |||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="2" |League ! colspan="2" |National Cup ! colspan="2" |League Cup ! colspan="2" |Continental ! colspan="2" |Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps
!Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||||
| rowspan="8" |Young Lions
|2017 |2 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |2 |0 | |||||||||
| 2018
|10 |0 |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |10 |0 | |||||||||
| 2019
|24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 24 | 3 | |
| 2020
|14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 14 | 3 | |
| 2021
|12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 12 | 3 | |
| 2022
|7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 7 | 0 | |
| 2023
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 4 | 0 | |
| Total
!73 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 9 |
| rowspan="2" |Madura United
|34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 34 | 1 | |
| Total
!34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 1 |
| rowspan="2" |Muangthong United
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Total
!2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Career Total
!108 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 10 |
=International=
:Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/71988/Jacob_Mahler.html|title=Mahler, Jacob|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=23 October 2018}}
==International caps==
| class="wikitable"
! No !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Result !! Competition | |||||
| align=center|6 | 12 October 2023 | National Stadium, Singapore | {{fb|GUM}} | 2–1 (won) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align=center|7 | 17 October 2023 | GFA National Training Center, Guam | {{fb|GUM}} | 1–0 (won) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align=center|8 | 16 November 2023 | Seoul World Cup Stadium, Korea | {{fb|KOR}} | align=center|0-5 (lost) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align=center|9 | 21 November 2023 | National Stadium, Singapore | {{fb|THA}} | align=center|1-3 (lost) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align=center|10 | 21 March 2024 | National Stadium, Singapore | {{fb|CHN}} | align=center|2-2 (draw) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align=center|11 | 26 March 2024 | Tianjin Olympic Center, China | {{fb|CHN}} | align=center|1-4 (lost) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
==International goals==
| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;"
! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition | ||||||
| 1. | 16 October 2018 | Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | {{fb|CAM}} | align="center"|1–1 | align="center"|2–1 | Friendly |
| 2.
|12 October 2023 |National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore |{{fb|GUM}} |align="center"|2–0 |align="center"|2–1 | ||||||
| 3. | 21 March 2024 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | {{fb|CHN}} | align="center"|2–2 | align="center"|2–2 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|jacob-mahler/555051}}
- {{NFT|71988}}
{{portalbar|Association football|Biography|Singapore}}
{{Muangthong United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahler, Jacob}}
Category:Temasek Polytechnic alumni
Category:Footballers from Copenhagen
Category:Singaporean men's footballers
Category:21st-century Singaporean sportsmen
Category:Singapore men's international footballers
Category:Danish men's footballers
Category:Danish people of Singaporean descent
Category:Young Lions FC players
Category:Madura United F.C. players
Category:Singapore Premier League players
Category:Liga 1 (Indonesia) players
Category:Singaporean expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Indonesia
Category:Singaporean expatriate sportspeople in Indonesia
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Thailand
Category:Singaporean expatriate sportspeople in Thailand
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Competitors at the 2019 SEA Games
Category:Singapore men's youth international footballers