Still haunted by the events of 1985 when the Gopibagh outfit had the title in their grasps but let it go to Abahani in the final match, Brothers were facing a similar a do-or-die state in the last match of the Western Union Premier Division Football League.

But midfielder Monwar Hossain made the dream true when he netted the all-important goal in the 48th minute to make history for a team that had entered the top flight in 1974.

Some two thousands fans of the men in orange had made the trip from Gopibagh fully expecting to celebrate. But nothing happened in the first half despite Brothers having the lions share of possession over a seemingly disheartened Muktis who had little to play for except a third place finish .

However Monwar eased the nerves when he unleashed a right-foot grounder from top of the box which found its way into the net past a diving national custodian Aminul Islam.

Crackers were blasted with earth-shattering noise, fireworks illuminated the night sky and the Brothers faithful had already started celebrating. For the rest of the game, the Reds also showed no signs of enterprise as most of their attacks ran short of ideas in the midfield.

The outcome of the last match was a touch on the sadder side of a finish for the gallant Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra who had run Brothers close till the end. A loss for Brothers would have given Russell the championship while a draw would have resulted in a play-off showdown between the two. But Wajed Gazi's group of unknowns exceeded all expectations and runners-up was no mean achievement for the side who were making their first appearance in the highest level of domestic football.

Brothers ended the season with 40 points from 18 matches to Russell's 38.

It was a year the three traditional giants Mohammedan, Abahani and Muktijoddha would wish to forget.

Last year's champions Mohammedan clubbed relegated Dhanmondi 6-0 in their final encounter but they were only in fifth position and will regret the refusal to play the last six minutes of the first leg match against Muktijoddha. The hot-tempered decision saw them lose four points as a disciplinary measure and Mohammedan were never in contention since.

Their bitter rivals and last year runners-up Abahani came third after going off the boil in the later part of the competition while the Muktis failed to add to their National League and Federation Cup silverware through some inconsistent display.

TEAMS
Brothers Union: Biplob, Sujon, Nazrul, Parvez Babu, Titoo, Arman, Liton (Rikta), Iqbal, Monwar, Victor and Gomez (Constantine) (Rajani).

Muktijoddha Sangsad: Aminul, Hasan Al Mamun, Prodip, Ghansa, Saiful Islam, Matiur Munna, Biddyut, Kabowa, Kanchan, Belal (Lajuk) and Lulenti.
Referee: Ibrahim Nesar.

MOHAMMDEAN V DHANMONDI
In the day's first encounter, Cameroonean striker Etigo hit four goals as Mohammedan blew Dhanmondi away 6-0.

The prolific striker's awesome display also helped him finish the league with the highest 16 goals.

Pappu netted the other two for the Motijheel outfit.