[1] In the following year, Shawal received his first professional contract earning $1,800 which he decided to quit his odd jobs and turn his full attention to football.

[8] As the end of the 2018 Singapore Premier League season, Shawal has notched 22 goals in 77 appearances for Geylang International in his time with the club.

Following Geylang International and Matsumoto Yamaga signing of a MOU in November 2016, Shawal, together with fellow winger Gabriel Quak, were selected to go on a one-week trial with the J2 League side.

[14] On 21 December 2022, Shawal was unveiled officially as part of the Lion City Sailors squad ahead of the 2023 Singapore Premier League season.

During the 2023–24 AFC Champions League match against Korean club, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on 8 November, Shawal provided the assist twice to Richairo Živković who sets up the goal to secure a 2–0 home win for Lion City Sailors.

On 21 November 2023, Shawal scored a goal in the second-round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification group stage fixtures against Thailand after receiving a pass from teammate Song Ui-young.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against China on 21 March 2024, he assisted teammate, Jacob Mahler who then scored the equaliser goal in a 2–2 draw.

Shawal studied at Kent Ridge Secondary School where he played field hockey and badminton but chose football as a co-curricular activity (CCA).