The match, which kicks off at 4pm, will be telecast live by Bangladesh Television.

Hong Kong, a great team in the 60s and 70s, thrashed Bangladesh 9-1 in the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia in 1975 but their status has been changed markedly over the years. The second international between them, in the Asian Cup qualifier in 2003 in Hong Kong, ended in a 2-2 draw.

"We know they are more experienced at this level. Also, they are professionals, which we are not. But this is our home ground and we hold the advantages. If my boys stick to the plan, we will win," said Bangladesh's Argentine coach Diego Cruciani after the home side's training session yesterday.

Cruciani, serving a two-match ban, would not be able to sit at the bench. He was also denied a place at the official press briefing. His side lost 5-0 to the group favourites Uzbekistan in Tashkent last week while Hong Kong also made a poor start, crashing 3-0 to Qatar at home.

"We conceded three bad goals against Uzbekistan and hope that it does not happen again," said the 41-year-old Argentine, who is expected to make at least two changes in the side, one in the attack and one in the back.

"Our strikers have been making too many misses. This is a worry for me."

It means veteran striker Alfaz or his young partner Emily would be replaced by Farhad or Kanchan, the first-choice striking duo for the SAAF Championship runners-up.

"We were a bit nervous and defensive against Uzbekistan but we want to attack tomorrow," he said.

First-choice goalkeeper Aminul, who was replaced after ten minutes in Tashkent for a tooth injury, is fit but the coach is not satisfied with his confidence level. He has misjudged the flight for a few occasions in the last four months and Biplab has a chance to be the other replacement.

Cruciani, however, will prefer two defensive midfielders like the Uzbek game although he had used only skipper Joy in this position immediately after taking charge.

Tsang-Wai Chung, one of the two Hong Kong coaches, told at a press briefing that the weather was a bit hot for his boys but that would not be a big problem.

"I was there when Bangladesh drew with Hong Kong four years ago. That is all I know about Bangladesh's football. I think it would be a fighting game and we are here to win. We have discussed and evaluated our loss to Qatar and I think we don't have any other option but to win. There are only five matches to go," said Chung.

"JJ Mbassa, a Cameroonian midfielder who has become a naturalised Hong Kong citizen a month ago, would be our player to watch. He can also play as a forward," added the Hong Kong coach.

Bangladesh skipper Joy said that they do not want to commit the same mistakes they had done in Uzbekistan.

"We were nervous but the match was a great experience. I hope we use that to beat Hong Kong for the first time because we have been gradually improving. We need to be mentally strong to overcome the challenge. The coach has been repeatedly saying this to us," Joy told.

Manager Sayeed Hassan Kanan told that they would miss Cruciani at the bench but he will fill in the gap.

"As an ex-national and a coach, I am aware of the duties. It is tough but we have to cope with it. I did it in Pakistan without trouble but in Uzbekistan, communication with the coach in the gallery was a problem. I think winning this match is very important ahead of the AFC Challenge Cup because that is a greater challenge for us than the SAFF competitions," said Kanan.

Meanwhile, the gallery tickets would cost Tk 20 each and only Gates 15 and 17 would be open for the spectators due to the ongoing renovation work at the venue.