Brothers Union and Bangladesh Police FC have kept alive their hopes of moving into second round of the Federation Cup after winning their respective penultimate matches of the group stage on Tuesday.

Surviving a string of scares in the second-half, Brothers Union notched a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fortis FC at the Shaheed Flight Lt. Matiur Rahman Stadium in Mymensingh while Bangladesh Police came from behind to hand a 2-1 defeat to Dhaka Wanderers Club at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.

Mannaf Rabbi and Esanur Rahman scored one goal apiece in the 84th and 86th minutes for Police after Mohammad Emon had given Wanderers a 42nd-minute lead from the spot.

Despite tasting the first defeat in their fourth and last match, Fortis are on top of the five-team group with seven points but they still risk being eliminated as top two teams will advance to the second round.

Having played three matches, both Bashundhara Kings and Brothers Union have secured six points with one match left for each, against Wanderers and Police, who too have chance to advance with four points from three matches. 

In Mymensingh, Fortis needed just one point to ensure their second round berth but luck was not on their side as they did everything except for scoring a goal, leaving themselves in a vulnerable position.

Bangladesh Police players celebrate a goal against Dhaka Wanderers. Photo: BFF

Even though Fortis dominated the match, it was Brothers who took the lead with Kawsar Ali Rabbi firing home from inside the box following a square-pass from Sazzad Hossain from the right flank after Fortis midfielder Mazharul Islam lost the ball outside the box.

Former national team goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana stood tall under the Brothers goal, frustrating Omar Saar, Jasur Jumaev, Valerii Gryshyn time and again while Saar also rattled the crossbar in the stoppage time of the second half.