Bangladesh's most popular sport is at a war of sorts with cricket, a fast-growing sport in the country after the ICC Trophy triumph. Bangla scribes pray for victory, to score important points over the willow game in soccer's quest to regain centre stage.

Indian won back admiration from their supporters yesterday after a 2-1 semi-final win over Maldives. Skipper Bruno Coutinho sealed the win with a clinically scored late match-winner, and the Goan striker will be the cynosure of what is hoped to be the largest draw in the sparsely-attended tournament.

The ever-popular Bhaichung Bhutiaand villain-turned-hero IM Vijayan, along with their captain, are going to form the hub of the hosts' challenge. The trump card for India, however must be super sub Sabir Pasha -- electrifying on the left wing and quite clearly the man who hauled India out of trouble against Maldives.

With Deepak Mondal and the young Prabhjot Singh showing temperament and technique, along with Coutinho's Salgaocar skipper Roberto Fernandes, in the semi-final, India seem to have sorted out their defence.

Both coach Sukhwinder Singh and manager Henry Britto still feel it is going to be a 50-50 match, despite superiority on paper and the home advantage.

Possibly, they discern Bangladesh's strength at the back, where skipper Jewel Rana excels, and effervescence in front, where Alfaz Mohammad and Mizanur Rahman -- architects of the 4-0 rout of Pakistan and 2-1 semi-final success over Nepal -- have been devastating.

But Bangladesh's Iraqi coach, Shamir Shaker, is equally shy of predicting the result, guarded as he was aboutthe changes he said he would induce, and the likely tactical approach.

Equally apprehensive about Bhutia and Vijayan, as India is wary about Rahman and Alfaz, the 1986 World Cupper believes his mix of juniors and seniors will hold his team in good stead. In that respect, attacking mid-fielder Iqbal Hossain is an asset and not for nothing has he been referred to as `backbone of the side.' Youth power and tenacity in the form of stoppers Rajani Barman and Pradip Kumar Podder also saw Bangladesh frustrate India in the league phase.

The SAFF competition, according to manager Khairul Pearu has been unlucky for Bangladesh. He expressed that at the start of the tournament. But a little over a week later, a glint in his eye suggests he may well have forgotten the jinx. Bangladesh's last major triumph came in 1995 where they outwitted hosts Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Singapore.