- Source: Anisur Rahman Zico
Anisur Rahman Zico (Bengali: আনিসুর রহমান জিকো) is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bangladesh Premier League club Bashundhara Kings and the Bangladesh national team. He is considered to be a penalty specialist and is also one of the best goalkeepers in the country. He is nicknamed "Banglar Bajpakhi" (Bengali: বাংলার বাজপাখি) which translates to "The Hawk/Falcon of Bangla" in English.
Club career
On 14 December 2018, Zico's performance in the shootout in Walton Independence Cup helped Bashundhara Kings edge a spirited Rahmatganj MFS 3–2 in the quarter-final tiebreaker.
On 20 December 2018, Zico's performance propelled Kings to the Independence Cup final with a 7–6 win on penalties over Abahani Limited Dhaka. He also got limelight in the 2020 AFC Cup where he played a crucial role for his team, including three penalty saves which helped Kings win 5–1 against TC Sports Club. He was later named the AFC Top Performer of the Week.
International career
On 13 November 2020, Zico made his senior debut against Nepal in an international friendly.
On 4 December 2020, Zico performed well against reigning Asian champions Qatar in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round. His "heroic" performance gained him popularity among the local fans and also got him offers from MLS and Saudi Pro League clubs.
He received the Best Goalkeeper Award in the 2023 SAFF Championship, even after Bangladesh crashed out of the semi-finals of the tournament.
Career statistics
= Club
=As of 18 May 2024.
= International
=As of 7 September 2023.
Honours
Bashundhara Kings
Bangladesh Premier League: 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
Bangladesh Federation Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21
Independence Cup: 2018–19, 2022–23, 2023–24
Individual
2020–21 ,2021–22 ,2022–23 − BPL Goalkeeper of the Season.
2023 – SAFF Championship Best Goalkeeper Award.
References
External links
Anisur Rahman Zico at Soccerway
Anisur Rahman Zico on Facebook
Anisur Rahman Zico on Instagram