# Jacob Mahler

Jacob 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. Mahler made his professional debut for Young Lions in a 1–3 Singapore Premier League lost to Geylang International on 4 July 2018.
Mahler was named the club captain from the 2019 season onwards.

### 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. On 23 July 2023, Mahler scored his first goal for the club against Persis Solo coming from a set piece cross from Francisco Rivera. 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. 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.
Mahler made his AFF Championship debut in the 2018 campaign on 9 November, with a 1–0 loss over Philippines.
In 2022, Mahler was called up the for 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. He was named captain but was later withdrawn from the team after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during his club's match in the 2022 season.
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) 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

    As of 15 Sept 2024
| Club | Season | S.League | S.League | Singapore Cup | Singapore Cup | Singapore League Cup | Singapore League Cup | Asia | Asia | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Young Lions | 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| Young Lions | 2018 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 |
| Young Lions | 2019 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 24 | 3 |
| Young Lions | 2020 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 14 | 3 |
| Young Lions | 2021 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 12 | 3 |
| Young Lions | 2022 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 |
| Young Lions | 2023 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| Young Lions | Total | 73 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 9 |
| Club | Season | League | League | Cup 1 | Cup 1 | Cup 2 | Cup 2 | Asia | Asia | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Madura United | 2023–24 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 1 |
| Madura United | Total | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 1 |
| Muangthong United | 2024–25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Muangthong United | Total | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Career Total | Career Total | 108 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 10 |

### International

    Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.

#### International caps

| No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Competition |
| 6 | 12 October 2023 | National Stadium, Singapore | Guam | 2–1 (won) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 7 | 17 October 2023 | GFA National Training Center, Guam | Guam | 1–0 (won) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 8 | 16 November 2023 | Seoul World Cup Stadium, Korea | South Korea | 0-5 (lost) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 9 | 21 November 2023 | National Stadium, Singapore | Thailand | 1-3 (lost) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 10 | 21 March 2024 | National Stadium, Singapore | China | 2-2 (draw) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 11 | 26 March 2024 | Tianjin Olympic Center, China | China | 1-4 (lost) | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |

#### International goals

| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 16 October 2018 | Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Cambodia | 1–1 | 2–1 | Friendly |
| 2. | 12 October 2023 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | Guam | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3. | 21 March 2024 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | China | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |

## Honours

Madura United
* Liga 1 runner-up: 2023–24
Singapore U22
* Merlion Cup: 2019