S'pore super goalie Izwan Mahbud was close to joining Spanish club Real Sociedad

If only David Moyes didn't lose his job again.

Tan Xing Qi| November 16, 05:40 PM

If Spanish side Real Sociedad had a better start to the season, the Lions first-choice keeper Izwan Mahbud could be fending off shots from the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Singapore goalkeeping coach John Burridge, also former Newcastle United goalkeeper, told Today that David Moyes was thinking about signing Izwan.

However, the football gods were not smiling on Moyes (and indirectly on Izwan) as Real Sociedad only scraped nine points from the opening 11 games so far and the former Manchester United manager was let go last week.

Burridge said:

“For me, Izwan is top draw and perfect for the Spanish league.

I was very much in touch with David Moyes during his time at Sociedad but he got the sack unfortunately. However, I will try to find a way to get him and Hassan (Sunny) into Europe."

It's little wonder why Moyes is interested in the Lions custodian. Izwan famously made 18 saves and single-handedly earned Singapore a valuable point in Saitama, Japan earlier this year. Even though, the Lions lost 3-0 to the same opponents last week, Izwan made 19 saves and saved Singapore from further embarrassment.

 

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Burridge believes that Izwan is good enough to be playing in Europe's top flight leagues.

“I am working on trying to get him into Europe, because that’s what I came to Singapore for. I did the same for Al Habsi (bringing him from Oman to Wigan in the Premier League) and I will do the same for him too."

We hope another superb performance against Syria in the World Cup Qualifiers tomorrow will tempt the big boys. Or when Moyes finds another job.

 

 

H/T: Today

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