India favoured in today's final
 

PRINCE Gunasekara reporting from Pakistan

THE South Asian Gold Cup Soccer final between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to kick off today at 7.15 p.m. at the People's Stadium in Karachi.

India who have won the title on three occasions 1993, 1997 and 1999 are favoured in today's game. They are placed 135th in the world rankings and holds the top slot in South Asian rankings.

Saeed Najimudin the Indian coach addressing the media yesterday said his team is in perfect condition to face the final and hope they will do well to take the cup for a fourth time.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh who won the 2003 cup in their home den too are confident of taking cup home. In the world ranking Bangladesh is ranked at 170 whilst in the South Asian they are placed fifth.

B'desh coach Diego Andrews Kurusiano said that the team who scores the fifth goal has the advantage to win the game today.

The team led by Arif Khan Joy is mentally fit for the final said the coach. The winners are to receive a cash award of 50,000 US dollars while the runners up get 25,000 US dollars. The organisers have made arrangements to give away 10,000 dollars to all participating teams.