:Biplob Bhattacharjee

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Biplob Bhattacharjee

| fullname = Biplob Bhattacharjee

| image = Biplob Bhattacharjee.png

| image_size =

| caption = Biplob with Bangladesh at the 1999 SA Games

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|01|07|df=y}}

| birth_place = Cumilla, Bangladesh

| position = Goalkeeper

| height = {{height|m=1.80}}

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = 1993

| youthclubs1 = Dipali JS

| years1 = 1994–2000

| clubs1 = Dhaka Abahani

| caps1 =

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2001

| clubs2 = Farashganj SC

| caps2 =

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2002

| clubs3 = Muktijoddha Sangsad

| caps3 =

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2003–2004

| clubs4 = Brothers Union

| caps4 =

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2004–2005

| clubs5 = Mohammedan SC

| caps5 =

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2006–2010

| clubs6 = Dhaka Abahani

| caps6 =

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2010–2011

| clubs7 = Muktijoddha Sangsad

| caps7 =

| goals7 = 0

| years8 = 2011–2014

| clubs8 = Sheikh Russel KC

| caps8 =

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2015

| clubs9 = Brothers Union

| caps9 =

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2016–2018

| clubs10 = Sheikh Russel KC

| caps10 =

| goals10 = 0

| years11 = 2018–2019

| clubs11 = Brothers Union

| caps11 = 8

| goals11 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 1996

| nationalteam1 = Bangladesh U16

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1998

| nationalteam2 = Bangladesh U19

| nationalcaps2 =

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2002–2003

| nationalteam3 = Bangladesh U23

| nationalcaps3 =

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 1997–2013

| nationalteam4 = Bangladesh

| nationalcaps4 = 24

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| manageryears1 = 2021–2022

| managerclubs1 = Bangladesh (goalkeeping coach)

| manageryears2 = 2023

| managerclubs2 = Sheikh Jamal DC (goalkeeping coach)

| medaltemplates =

{{Medal|Country|{{fb|BAN}}}}

}}

Biplob Bhattacharjee ({{langx|bn|বিপ্লব ভট্টাচার্য}}; born 7 January 1981), alternatively spelled Biplob Bhattacharya, is a Bangladeshi retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He represented the Bangladesh national team between 1997 and 2013.

Club career

Biplob began his career in the Pioneer Football League in 1993 with Dipali Jubo Sangha. After helping Dipali gain promotion to the Third Division, Biplab was signed as a third choice keeper by Abahani Limited Dhaka of the Premier Division in 1994, following trials. In 1995, after the club's first-choice keeper, Saidur Rahman, fell ill, Biplob took his place in the starting eleven. He served the role of Abahani's first-choice keeper until 2000, and won the league title in both 1994 and 1995.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jagonews24.com/sports/football/449730|title=তৃপ্তি নিয়েই ফুটবল ছাড়ছেন বিপ্লব ভট্টাচার্য|language=bn|date=September 8, 2018|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=jagonews24.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF|title=পরিশ্রম, পরিশ্রম আর ইচ্ছাশক্তি...|language=bn|date=November 20, 2018|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=Prothomalo}}

In 2000, Biplob joined Muktijoddha Sangsad KC as a guest player for the 2000 National League,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/dhaka-teams-bag-the-elite|title=Dhaka teams bag the elite|date=January 3, 2000|website=The Daily Star|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208085946/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/dhaka-teams-bag-the-elite|url-status=live}} before returning to Abahani for the Premier Division. In 2001, he departed the club on permanent basis, joining relegation contenders, Farashganj SC, due to the national transfer pool. In 2002, he joined Muktijoddha Sangsad and spent a lone season at the club before being signed by Brothers Union. He helped the Oranges win their first Premier Division title,{{Cite web|url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/03/13/d40313040132.htm|title=Brothers become big|website=archive.thedailystar.net|date=March 13, 2004|archive-date=30 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930125912/https://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/03/13/d40313040132.htm|url-status=live|access-date=11 January 2024}} before departing for Mohammedan SC.{{Cite web|url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2005/07/11/d50711040129.htm|title=The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 399|date=July 11, 2005|access-date=December 28, 2024|website=archive.thedailystar.net}}

In 2007, Biplop returned to Abahani for the country's inaugural professional league, the B.League. He was part of the team that won hat-trick professional league titles from 2007 to 2010, captaining the team during the final year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-140029|title=Abahani's hattrick triumph|date=May 26, 2010|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}} He also represented Abahani in the 2008 and 2009 editions of the AFC President's Cup, without finding much success.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-43045|title=Solace for Abahani|access-date=October 13, 2024|date=June 27, 2008|website=The Daily Star}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-87948|title=Super-sub Tipu|date=May 13, 2009|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}} In 2010, he transferred to Muktijoddha Sangsad and helped the club finish league runners-up.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-156640|title=Transfers open today|date=October 1, 2010|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-210546|title=Mukti demand fixing action|date=November 18, 2011|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}}

In 2011, Biplop joined Sheikh Russel KC and was captain of the team which won the domestic treble in the 2012–13 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/russel-eyeing-a-fourth|title=Russel eyeing a fourth|date=June 10, 2013|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}} He also helped Sheikh Russel become the first became the first Bangladeshi club to qualify for the final round of the AFC President's Cup in the 2014 edition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/sheikh-russel-through-as-champions-23760|title=Sheikh Russel through as champions|date=May 12, 2014|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}} He joined Brothers Union for the 2018–19 league season and played his final professional game against Saif SC on 17 June 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/06/17/bangladesh/b-league/saif/brothers-union/3015227/|title=Saif vs. Brothers Union|date=17 June 2019|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=int.soccerway.com}}

International career

In 1996, Biplob represented the Bangladesh U16 team at the 1996 AFC U-16 Championship held in Thailand. The following year, the U16 coach, Otto Pfister who also coached the senior national team, included Biplob in the squad that participated in the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round. He made his senior international debut at the age of 16 in the 0–3 defeat to Saudi Arabia on 27 March 1997, and during the match he saved a penalty in the tenth minute.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/intldetails/1997as.html |title=International Matches 1997 – Asia |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |author=Courtney, Barrie |date=2005-02-02 |access-date=2010-02-18}} In the following four days he made two more appearances for the team, keeping goal in the 2–1 win over Chinese Taipei and the 0–1 loss to Malaysia.

Biplob was also part of the national team at the 1997 SAFF Gold Cup in Kathmandu, Nepal. During which Bangladesh failed to advance past the group stages, suffering 0–3 defeat to India and salvaging a 1–1 draw with Maldives.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%87%E2%80%98%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B7%E2%80%99-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0|title=এবারই 'শেষ' বিপ্লবের|language=bn|date=August 29, 2013|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=Prothomalo}} He also featured for the Bangladesh U19 team at the 1998 AFC Youth Championship qualifiers held in Sri Lanka.

He was the first-choice keeper at the 1999 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal, appearing in all four games as Bangladesh won their maiden gold medal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A0%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%83%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AC|title=কাঠমান্ডুর স্মৃতিতে বিভোর বিপ্লব|language=bn|date=August 30, 2013|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=Prothomalo}} He remained first-choice throughout the year due to Aminul Haque's injury, and represented the team at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. However, with a fit again Aminul, second-choice, Biplob's next appearance for the national team would come after almost four years, on 15 January 2003 against Bhutan at the 2003 SAFF Gold Cup held in Dhaka. Thus, playing only one game as Bangladesh would go on to win their first ever SAFF Championship.

In 2002, he also represented Bangladesh U23 at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. During the tournament he played in all three group-stage matches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/football/%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AC|title=তুর্কমেনিস্তানের সঙ্গে সেই ম্যাচ ভোলেননি গোলকিপার বিপ্লব|language=bn|date=June 11, 2022|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=Prothomalo}}

In 2007, with Aminul once again injured, Biplob won six caps for Bangladesh, playing in all of the national team's games that year. Between 2008 and 2010, he made only two appearances for the national team, coming in the 2008 SAFF Championship and 2010 AFC Challenge Cup. He was initially dropped from the squad prior to the 2009 SAFF Championship by Brazilian coach Dido.{{cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/sport/dido-sacked-as-head-football-coach|title=Dido sacked as head football coach |work=Bdnews24.com |date=2009-11-10 |access-date=2010-02-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717105906/http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=146594&cid=5 |archive-date=2011-07-17}} However, following Dido's dismissal less than a month before the tournament, interim head coach Shahidur Rahman Shantoo, included Biplob in the final 21-man squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-115723|title=21-member side for SAFF declared|date=November 26, 2009|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}}

Following, Aminul's retirement from international football on 18 June 2010, Biplob served as Bangladesh' first-choice keeper and captain during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round against Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-192122|title=Bangladesh drown Pakistan in rain|date=June 30, 2011|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}} However, after Bangladesh advanced to the second round, coach Nikola Ilievski preferred Mamun Khan as the first-choice keeper, although Biplob remained as the national team's captain.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-194992|title=Booters off to Lebanon|date=July 21, 2011|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=The Daily Star}} He would eventually lose his captaincy to Mohammed Sujan prior to the 2011 SAFF Championship. In August 2013, Biplob announced that he would retire following the 2013 SAFF Championship, although later he would show uncertainty about the decision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/36219/biplob-feels-proud-but-refuses-retirement|title=Biplob feels proud but refuses retirement|date=September 1, 2013|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=Dhaka Trubune}} He would serve as backup to Mamun Khan during the tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/sports/%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%96%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A1%E0%A6%BC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AC|title=এখনো লড়ে যাচ্ছেন বিপ্লব|language=bn|date=July 17, 2013|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=Prothomalo}}

Notably, Biplob was honoured by the South Asian Football Federation on 10 September 2013, for being the only player to represent his country in eight Saff Championships.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/35878/biplob-honoured-by-saff|title=Biplob honoured by Saff|date=August 31, 2013|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=Dhaka Tribune}}

Coaching career

In January 2021, Biplob was appointed as the goalkeeping coach of the Bangladesh national team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/football/236284/biplob-becomes-bangladesh-goalkeeping-coach|title=Biplob becomes Bangladesh goalkeeping coach|date=January 20, 2021|access-date=October 13, 2024|website=Dhaka Tribune}}