Though on paper Bengal have the edge with a number of internationals in their fold, it is Punjab who have maintained a better track record in this championship so far. Punjab, who lost to Bengal in the title clash in 1995, scored 10 goals and conceded one to maintain an all win record in the preliminary cluster.

In the quarter-final, after defeating Assam by an odd goal in three and then Services 4-2, they drew 2-2 with Goa in the last match.

On the other hand, Bengal who have been seeded to quarter-final league straightway edged past Maharashtra 2-1 and then drew goalless both against Kerala and Railways.

But Bengal's morale has gone high as their strength has been rejuvenated to a great extent with the arrival of star striker Baichung Bhutia yesterday.

Bengal coach,former international Sudip Chatterjee, is hopeful of a positive result in tomorrow's match. He said: "The addition of Baichung has definitely strengthened the side and raised our hopes for a place in the final. We were feeling the absence of a good striker, specially after Gaurav Sengupta had to go back along with defender Shib Sankar Santra and medio Abdul Sadiq, all of whom fell victim to some stomach ailment after we arrived here."

Bengal skipper Satyajit Chatterjee felt there was no favourites in tomorrow's match. "Punjab is a formidable opponent and it is always a touch battle when these two teams meet," he said.

However, for Bengal much would depend on how their mid-field. Both Satyajit and Tushar Rakshit have played for the state and the country on many occasions. They have the experience and skill to penetrate the Punjab defence.

With an opportunistic striker like Bhutia upfront, if this duo in the link can strike form, it should not be difficult for Bengal to reach the final.

The Punjab camphave a problem as the dependable Kamaljit Singh has a torn cartilage and is ruled out for tomorrow's tie. Beside striker Harvinder Singh and defender Balwinder Singh have some problems in ankle and back respectively.