Margao, India will start as favourites when they face defending champions Bangladesh in the summit clash of the SAFF Women's Championships on Saturday.
India would be looking for a record-extending sixth title in the regional tournament with a win against arch rivals Bangladesh whom they have beaten 3-0 in the group stage.
The Crispin Chhetri-coached home side would be eager to make amends of the losses in the earlier two editions and regain the title they had won last in 2019.
India have so far scored 15 goals and conceded none, and they would aim to end the tournament on a blank sheet with Panthoi Chanu under the bar.
The return of star striker Manisha Kalyan in the semifinals has also boosted the team's attacking power.
India began their campaign with an emphatic 11-0 victory over Maldives before convincingly blanking Bangladesh 3-0 to top Group B.
Young midfielder Aveka Singh from Delhi, who plies her trade in the Danish women's second tier side Naestved HG, has been in top form.
Goalkeeper Panthoi has been solid under the bar and head coach Chhetri would be hoping her to continue in the same vein.
Historically though, India have enjoyed the upper hand in this rivalry.
Indian squad:Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Ribansi Jamu, Shreya Hooda, Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Purnima Kumari, Ranjana Chanu Sorokhaibam, Sarita Yumnam, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, Aveka Singh, Jasoda Munda, Priyangka Devi Naorem, Sanfida Nongrum, Sangita Basfore, Shilky Devi Hemam, Grace Dangmei, Karishma Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Soumya Guguloth.
Match starts at 6:30 IST.
