Lebu Khan and Hafizul Islam slotted hattricks on the opening day of the Sher-e-Bangla Cup 22nd National Football Championship to give Nilphamari District Sports Association (DSA) a flying start with a 71 routof Panchagarh DSA.

The home side led the first half 2-0 in the first qualifying match of the Teesta Zone at the Nilphamari Stadium but the floodgates opened after the break with Lebu and Hafizul completing theirtrebles. Ilias added the other for the winners while Atiqur scored a consolation goal for Panchagarh.

Former national striker Mizanur Rahman Don scored either side of the break to help Comilla survive a scare, edging visiting Sunamganj 21 at the Comilla Stadium in a Surma Zonal fixture.

Goplaganj eliminated Narail 2-0 in penalty shootout after the Padma Zone match ended in a goalless draw at the Gopalganj Stadium. Kabir and Shafiq scored from the spotfor the hosts.

Jamuna and Karnaphuli Zone hosts Joypurhat and Cox's Bazar were not so lucky when they both were knocked out.

A goal each from Nurul Islam, Mantri and Ratan sunk Joypurhat who crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Sirajganj at the Joypurhat Stadium. Feroz reduced the arrears for the home side.

In Cox's Bazar, the local boys suffered a 2-0 loss to Feni with Sajjad and Tipu scoring early second half goals.

Chuadanga brushed aside neighbours Meherpur 5-1 at Chuadanga Stadium in a one-sided match in the Kapotakkha Zone with Hagi scoring twice. Aminur, Chanchai and Ohidul were also on the scoresheet for Chuadanga while Russel narrowed the margin for the visitors.

Imrul Hassan slammed both goals in Bagerhat's 2-0 defeat of Patuakhali at Bhola Stadium in a Meghna-Zone match originally scheduled for tomorrow. The organisers rescheduled the opening match between Bhola and Jhalokathi without any notice.

All the seven winners have reached the zonal semifinals. Nine matches will be played today.