was the emergence of the Shadhin Bangla Football Team during the 1971 Liberation War. They toured throughout India and helped fund the provisional Bangladesh government, by handing over all the prize money they earned from playing exhibition games during their tour. After gaining independence from Pakistan on 26 March 1971, a de facto national team called Dhaka XI was active the following year. The team won a highly anticipated friendly against Mohun Bagan on home soil and also finished runners-up at India's Bordoloi Trophy. Emergence (1973–1984) The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) was founded on 15 July 1972, by Md. Yousuf Ali, the country's former Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs. The BFF became affiliated with the AFC in 1973, and FIFA in 1976. The newly formed federation put Dhaka XI head coach Sheikh Shaheb Ali incharge of the first official national team, while Zakaria Pintoo who also lead the Shadhin Bangla Team before liberation, was named captain. In July 1973, Bangladesh were invited to take part in the Merdeka Cup, held in Malaysia, along with Pintoo the first national team squad consisted of: Shahidur Shantoo, Motaleb, Nannu, Nazir, Dilip Barua, Ashraf, Farukh, Abdul Hakim, Sharif, Md.Kaikobad, Enayetur Rahman, Kazi Salahuddin, Pratap, Sunil Krishna, Firoj and Nowsher. On 26 July 1973, the Bangladesh football team played its first official game, a 2–2 draw against Thailand in the Merdeka Cup. Enayetur Rahman scored the country's first ever international goal and the second goal was scored by fellow striker Kazi Salahuddin. After the stalemate, the game went to penalties, where Bangladesh lost 0–1. On 13 August 1973, after concluding their journey in Malaysia the team played a friendly in Singapore, and earned their first ever win by defeating the hosts 1–0, thanks to a goal from Nowsher. In August 1975, Bangladesh were again invited to partake in the Merdeka Cup held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During their underwhelming tournament, the players were informed about the Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and decided to abandon the tournament to return home amidst the political unrest. However, fearing a FIFA ban the team was obliged to play their game with South Korea, making a symbolic protest by keeping the Bangladesh flag at half-mast and wearing a black badge, as they lost 0–4. Aside from competing in the 1976 King's Cup, Bangladesh remained inactive until 1978, when Werner Bickelhaupt was appointed as the country's first foreign coach.