Striker Akbar Hossain Ridon became the first person to score four goals in the Bangladesh League this season, as Chittagong Mohammedan thumped visitors Shuktara Jubo Sangsad 5-1 in their home match at the MA Aziz Stadium yesterday.
Ridon, who had earlier found the back of the opponents net once in 10 matches, put the Black and Whites ahead in the 19th minute and doubled the lead nine minute later before completing the league's fourth hattrick in the 32nd minute. Arambagh KS's Nicodemus G Anunda, Alfaz Ahmed and Sheikh Russel's Moroccan striker Samir Omari had earlier slammed hattricks.
After resumption, Shuktara put up some signs to bounce back in the match and pulled one goal back in the 55th minute through a penalty kick taken by Rezaul Karim Liton.
But, the port city side did not show mercy to the Narayanganj outfit as Touhidul Islam made it 4-1 in the 59th minute and Ridon completed the rout striking his fourth and team's fifth goal in the 64th minute.
At the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium, former national striker Alfaz Ahmed struck a brace to help Arambagh KS came from behind to hold Farashganj Sporting Club to a 2-2 draw in their last match of the first leg.
National striker Touhidul Alam Sabuz gave Farashganj a 25-minute lead before Alfaz levelled the margin through a penalty kick four minutes into the second half.
Mokles then again put Farashganj ahead in the 74th minute and once again Alfaz came forward to rescue Arambagh as he struck his ninth league goal in stoppage time to stay just behind Sheikh Russel top-scorer Omari, who has scored 10 goals.
With their fifth draw in 12 matches, Arambagh have now 14 points to join fourth-placed Brothers Union while Farashganj have 11 points from 12 matches to join fifth-paced Rahmatganj, Beanibazar and Chittagong Abahani.
Their second win in 11 matches meant Chittagong Mohammedan with nine points toppled Shuktara to stay at 12th position.