Goals in the second half ensured the fourth place for Brothers Union in the Citycell B. League when the giants from Gopibagh blanked Farashganj 2-0 yesterday.
Wasim Iqbal's side also kept their slim hopes for a third place finish alive with their ninth victory in 19 games, climbing to 34 points, just one behind Sheikh Russel who have two matches in hand.
After a first-half deadlock at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Atiqur Rahman Mishu fired in a long-range volley in the 49th minute while Zahid Hossain sealed the victory with a solo effort five minutes from time.
Farashganj also confirmed the sixth place as they remained on 26 points, four adrift of Chittagong Mohammedan with one round to go in the competition.
Both sides fought equally in the first half but the riversiders came close to score after 15 minutes. But captain Kabir Hossain's shot from a goalmouth melee came off the Brothers crosspiece.
Midfielder Liton's curling shots from setpieces kept the Farashganj backline under constant threat and one from the left flank gave Shakil a good opportunity, only to see his powerful header going straight to goalkeeper Al Amin in the 27th minute.
Just before the short whistle, Zia made a similar save at the Oranges goal when Farashganj's Nigerian defender glanced a header on a corner by Ugandan Dominic.
Four minutes after resumption, Al Amin misread what looked like an ordinary volley by Mishu to concede the lead. The Brothers fullback drove the ball with his left-foot from 30 yards and a bounce in front of Al Amin sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and he had no chance to stop the ball going into his right hand post.
Farashganj, who crashed 4-0 to Brothers in the first-leg, came back strongly when Nigerian striker Kalu Johnson escaped down the right wing and chipped the ball with his right foot in the 54th minute. The ball dipped but Zia palmed it away from his line.
Four minutes later, Liton's freekick from the right went out harmlessly after kissing the top of the crossbar as the riversiders stayed alive for a fightback. They got a golden chance in the 76th minute when Enamul got beyond the opposition defence. However, Enamul -- Farashganj's top scorer with 11 goals -- delayed inside the area as Mishu came from behind to shield the shot that went wide.
It was all over when Zahid sped into the penalty area and clinically finished, putting the ball beyond outrushing custodian Al Amin for his sixth league goal.
Both teams end their campaign on February 17 -- the final day of the league -- with Farashganj facing Sheikh Russel in Dhaka and Brothers playing away against Chittagong Mohammedan.
TEAMS
BROTHERS: Zia, Aurup, Ashraful, Akramuzzaman Liton, Mishu, Zahid, Liton (Roni), Matiur Munna, Shakil, Tapu (Parvez) and Henry.
FARASHGANJ: Al Amin, Ramjan, Emeka, Mamun Mia, Rajib, Kabir, Khokon, Dominic, Faisal (Rintu), Enamul (Mamun) and Johnson.
Referee: Shahidul Islam.
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