The draw has put their fate to meet in the opening match although the local heavyweights are used to get enough time by playing small timers to prepare for the big matches towards the end of a tournament.

Playing a big match as their first match of the season, however, does not bother mentors of the two title contenders.

What pricks them most is the uncertainty over picking their starting line-up.

A few warm-up matches were not enough for measuring the strength of the squad, yet, or even making up the mind for a format or planning for the opposition although the biggest names of local football flock for the two teams.

The national footballers have virtually chosen the two camps this season, the seniors showed their loyalty to Muktijoddha, and the younger ones joined Abahani.

And both the coaches, Diego Cruciani of Abahani and Abu Yusuf of Muktijoddha know the secrets of all the players.

Argentine coach Cruciani handled most of them as Bangladesh national coach while Yusuf's local knowledge also counts for the Reds.

Cruciani, who arrived in Dhaka last month with three Argentine booters, faces the biggest problem as the ITCs (International Transfer Certificate) of the sky-blues' foreign recruits have yet to reach the Bangladesh Football Federation.

"If the clearance are here in time, all three will play. Otherwise, I am ready to take the field with the local collection," Cruciani told The Daily Star on the eve of the match.

"It's better to start the league with a big match because even if we lose, we will have enough time to recover in a long tournament. It will also help us correct mistakes quickly."

Cruciani, who has run a fitness test, said that his players' have only reached 50 per cent of the desired fitness. "Their game is also yet to reach the peak. We need much improvement.

"Muktijoddha have more experienced players and if we have to play with all locals, we might switch our format to 4-4-2," said Cruciani, who favours a more attacking 4-3-1-2 formation.

"Actually, we are teams of same level. So it would be an exciting and fighting game," the Argentine added.

Abahani will miss central defender Sujan, who has been nursing a thigh injury for long. Still, they would be able to pick up an eleven from a rich squad featuring goalkeeper Biplab, defenders Nazrul, Pradeep, Siraji and Waly, midfielders Joy, Pranotosh, Abul, Zahed Parvez and Abdullah Parvez and strikers: Emily, Ujjal and Tipu.

Skipper Arif Khan Joy told that a winning start would be an inspiration for the sky-blues, who have been without any major silverware for five seasons. Yusuf, an intelligent match reader, will have the advantage of mixing with half the Abahani squad as they had played under him in the Olympic pre-qualifiers against Hong Kong last month.

But he will miss national captain and country's number one keeper Aminul, who has just returned from Mumbai after treatment of a problem in his spinal cord.

"It's a big loss but we have a good goalie in Titumeer," said Yusuf, who claimed to not have any pressure of kicking off the tournament against a big opposition.

"We will meet all the teams in the run. Losing a big match is not important in the initial stage. It becomes crucial when it's a deciding match at the later part. We have to make sure we beat all the so-called small teams. I will accept any result in tomorrow's match," said the former national footballer, who also feels that his boys have yet to reach the level he would like.

"It's just a game and we will put our full effort to win. Abahani would be stronger without any foreigners in the first match because the local players will not need to get accustomed to conditions."

Yusuf, who prefers a 4-4-2 lineup, has two foreigners in his side, Ghana's Ghansah and Moroccan midfielder Brahim, whose ITC has yet to arrive.

"Whatever, happens tomorrow, it is a special occasion for all footballers. This league will give us recognition. We can say what our profession is now. It was not the case when I played. I am happy," said Yusuf who will choose from a squad full of stars:

defenders Hassan Al Mamun, Rajani, Titu, midfielders Arman Mia, Matiur Munna, Parvez Babu and Arman Aziz and forwards Kanchan, Moni and Alfaz.