Hattrick hero Alfaz (R) tries to dink past two Khulna Abahani defenders during a B. League tie at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. The Sheikh Russel striker smacked the first hattrick of the league.Photo: STAR

Seasoned striker Alfaz Ahmed celebrated his national call-up with a hattrick as Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra thrashed Khulna Abahani 5-0 in the Citycell B. League at the Banga-bandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Riding on the league's first hattrick, Sheikh Russel not only managed the highest margin of victory but also ensured they are in joint lead in the points table with Brothers Union by securing seven points from three matches.
Defending champions Abahani are just one point shy of the leaders while fellow big gun Mohammedan Sporting Club and Chittagong Abahani have four points each to stay in third position.
The downpour just before the start of the match caused the ground to be rain-soaked but it could not hurt Russel's march, who were held to a 1-1 draw against hosts Chittagong Mohammedan before their first home win over Farashganj 2-1, on their opponents who had no answer against their mighty counterparts. The margin however could have been much bigger for Sheikh Russel if they did not miss some good chances in the one-sided encounter.
The day's hero was cunning Alfaz, who got a national call after a year for the upcoming Merdeka Cup. The successful striker who lost his agility, made the hattrick by scoring in the 25th, 70th and 78th minutes respectively.
It was however Monwar who opened the account for Sheikh Russel as early as the sixth minute. Monwar found the target through a placing shot by capitalising on a right-sided cross from Aminul.
The winners took a 2-0 lead in the first-half when veteran Alfaz scored his first goal after he was fed by a back pass from Moroccan Saeed. The ball reached the target with a grounder in the 25th minute to double the margin.
The new powerhouse in the country's football continued their dominance after the breather and took only four minutes to extend the margin. Saeed notched the third goal after getting a back heel from his compatriot Ighir to slot the ball home between the legs of Abahani custodian Nahid.
The giants then missed a few chances before Alfaz netted his side's fourth goal with a close range tap after getting a well-judged ball from Saeed.
The ace striker, who also smashed first hattrick in the inaugural professional league, completed his treble in style as he dodged past two defenders and substitute goalkeeper Foyez and sent the ball home from a seemingly difficult angel in the 78th minute.
In the entire match helpless Khulna Abahani, who stunned Muktijoddha Sangsad 2-1 and went down 3-1 against Brothers Union at home, got a good chance in the 62nd minute but Kazi Monjurul's shot from the right side of the D-box was grasped by custodian Biplob in the second attempt.
Russel had a feeble back-line without injured Hasan, Burdeep and suspended Babu, but their opponents failed to capitalise on it.
Abahani remained on three points from three matches.
Meanwhile, the fourth round of the B. League will resume from October 7 after the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation.
TEAMS
SHEIKH RUSSEL: Biplob, Proshanto, Zahirul, Sohel, Aminul, Nurul Islam, Saif, Monwar (Rajon), Saeed, Ighir, Alfaz (Bulbul).
KHULNA ABAHANI: Khalid, Nahid (Foyez), Shahinur, Nafizur, Hadiuzzaman, Ranjit, Ashiqul, Kamruzzaman, Tariqul (Monjurul), Faisal (Sikander), Mehdi.
Referee: Abdul Hannan.