Enayetur Rahman Khan

Enayetur Rahman Khan (; born 28 February 1951) is a former Bangladeshi footballer who played as a striker. He holds the record of scoring the Bangladesh national team's first-ever international goal, which came in a 2–2 draw against Thailand during the country's inaugural competitive game in 1973. He scored a total of 90 goals in the First Division during his more than a decade-long career playing domestic football in Dhaka.

Club career Enayetur was born on February 28, 1951, in Kaliganj, Dhaka. He started his football career in 1967, playing for Fakirerpool YMC in the Second Division. He later went onto have a short spell at East Pakistan Government Press in the First Division. In 1970, Enayetur joined Victoria SC, where he scored 17 goals in his debut year. His career came to a standstill, as he had to return to Kaliganj when the 1971 Liberation War commenced.

After the war was over Enayetur joined BIDC, in 1972. During the 1973 league deciding match against Dhaka Wanderers Club, Enayetur struck a brace to make BIDC the first league champions in independent Bangladesh, after the previous season ended unfinished. Early on in the game BIDC had fallen 2 goals behind, Enayetur scored a knuckleball free kick past Shahidur Rahman Shantoo, who was the country's top goalkeeper at the time. He went on to score another goal, and would have had an hattrick if his third goal was not ruled out for being offside. He later set up the winner scored by Wazed Gazi, as BIDC won the game 3–2. He spent the subsequent year with WAPDA SC before returning to BIDC who were then renamed as Bangladesh JMC (BJMC), and spent three more years at the club.

In 1978, Enayetur joined Mohammedan SC. He became the top scorer in the 1978 league with 13 goals, guiding his team to the league title. He also played for the Dhaka XI in a 1–0 win over visiting Mohun Bagan.

Enayetur was a late call up to the Bangladesh national football team squad when they participated in the 1973 Merdeka Cup in Malaysia. Two years after independence, this was the country's first ever international tournament. On 27 July 1973, Bangladesh took on Thailand, in their first official international match. During the game, Enayetur made history by scoring Bangladesh national team's first ever goal, as the game ended 2–2. Enayetur headed the ball in after meeting a chip from winger Sunil Krishna de Chowdhury. Regarding the goal, Enayetur stated .

On 31 July 1973, Enayetur struck his second goal for his country by scoring against Kuwait, during the same Merdeka tournament. After that Enayetur was a common face in the national team, and took part in the 1975 edition of the Merdeka Cup, the 1976 King's Cup and retired from national duty after the 1978 Asian Games, due attacking a referee in the First Division.

31 July 1973 Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

1973 Merdeka Cup

Coachig career In 1977, Enayetur was captain cum coach of Team BJMC. After retiring Enayetur officially took up coaching as a profession, he served 8 months as coach and manager of his former club Mohammedan SC, in 1985. In 1987, he was the coach of Brothers Union.

In recognition of his football career, he was awarded the Best Footballer of the Bangladesh Writers' Association in 1977 and the National Sports Award in 2004.

In November 2021, Enayetur returned to Bangladesh after 27 years abroad, in order to get his accreditation for participating in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Playing style Enayetur was known for his shooting abilities, and could shoot powerfully with either leg. One of his goals against Rahmatganj MFS ended up tearing the net of the goalpost.

Honours

BIDC Dhaka First Division League: 1973

Mohammedan SC Dhaka First Division League: 1978, 1980

Awards and accolades 1977 − Sports Writers Association's Best Footballer Award 2004 − National Sports Award

Individual Dhaka First Division League top scorer: 1978