India played their best match of the tournament as they beat Bangladesh by a solitary goal in the semi-final to set up a title clash against holders Maldives in the SAFF Championships in Dhaka.
Captain Sushil Kumar scored the all-important goal in the 62nd minute with a faint touch off a free-kick by Robert Lalthama from just outside the box.
Under floodlights and in front of the capacity crowd at Bangabandhu National Stadium, the Indian under-23 boys dished out a vastly improved performance against the home side to book a berth in the final on Sunday.
Maldives had earlier outplayed Sri Lanka 5-1 in the first semi-final earlier in the day.
It will be a repeat of the last edition final in Colombo, where India seniors, under Bob Houghton, lost to Maldives 0-1.
The win also avenged India's defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the 2003 edition semi-final.
India, four-time winners, has now made it to the final of the SAFF championships for the seventh time out of the eight editions so far. The 2003 edition was the only time India could not make it to the summit clash.
Sukhwinder Singh's boys were a totally transformed side after their lacklustre show in the group stages. This without striker Balwant Singh, who got a red card in the earlier match and midfielder Manish Maithani due to injury.
The Indians dominated throughout the match except for the first 15 minutes of the second session. The central midfield duo of Baldeep Singh and Jewel Raja did a wonderful job today, regularly feeding the strikers.
The defence was a lot more organised. Defender Lalthama nearly scored twice from free kicks besides setting up the lone goal. Sushil and his strike partner Jeje Lalpeklua had also a good game.
India got their first chance in the 10th minute but Sushil's right footer missed the crossbar by inches. Nine minutes later, Lalthama's curling free kick from near the right touchline was headed over by an unmarked Jeje.
Lalthama saw his 43rd minute free-kick saved by Bangladesh goalkeeper-cum-captain Aminul Haq.
The second half, which did not have much scoring chances, began with Bangladesh looking like regrouping themselves but it was India who surged ahead just after the hour mark.
Lalthama's free kick just outside the box was directed towards Sushil who directed to the right of Bangladesh goalkepeer into the net.
Towards the close, Bangldesh went all out for the equaliser. India made quick counterattacks and they missed two chances in the six minutes of injury time.
Two minutes into the injury time, Sushil's fierce shot was blocked by Aminul and three minutes later an effort by Jagtar Singh, who came in place of Jeje, was blocked by the Bangladesh custodian.
