Usha increased their tally to 30 points after ten wins from 11 games while Mariner, out of the title race following their third defeat, remained on 18 points.

The old-Dhaka outfit, however, will have to take on title contenders Abahani and Mohammedan in their remaining matches without their three Pakistani recruits who leave Dhaka today to fulfil domestic commitments.

Mariner, who fought hard before losing their first-leg match to Usha 3-1, failed to repeat the same flare in a one-sided super league tie.

Nayeem put Usha ahead in the 12th minute with a firm push after captain Moududur Rahman Shuva mishit a chance.

Nayeem doubled the score ten minutes later when he dodged past two Mariner defenders to find the mark and the treble was completed in the 51st minute when the player drilled in an angular hit after Tayab Reza and Shuva did the spadework.

Nadim sealed the victory one minute from time. After the centre-half collected the ball in his own half the Usha ace went a magical run that took him past five players including goalkeeper Jahangir to finish the move.

MOHAMMEDAN MEET ABAHANI TODAY
Meanwhile, holders Abahani will take on Mohammedan in both sides' second super league game today.

The Black and Whites, who lost the last match of the first leg to Abahani 1-0, will be under pressure to beat their arch-rivals as they cannot afford even a draw. On 22 points, a draw will end Moha-mmedan's title bid while a win will place them beside second-placed Abahani (25 points), helping Usha open up a huge five-point gap with two rounds left.

While Mohammedan have failed to add to their foreign recruits which includes only Indian defender Gurinder Singh, Abahani, on the other hand, roped in Malaysian national team captain Kuhan Shan-muganathan ahead of the big clash.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who arrived in the capital yesterday to play for the Sky Blues, has played 274 international matches. He will join Indian forward Prakash Calke and defender Christopher Edward.