Running battles between heavily armed Brazil and Argentina football fans have left 30 people injured – in Bangladesh.

Police were forced to fire a volley of rounds to control the riots after two neighbouring villages clashed over their passion for the South American rivals three weeks before the start of the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Six policemen were also injured in the fighting on Saturday when residents of Sheikhpara village fought their neighbours from Dakshinpara village with sticks, clubs and sharp weapons over their world cup loyalties.

Despite the country's success at cricket, football remains the most popular sport in Bangladesh and over the border in India's West Bengal.

But because both Indian and Bangladesh national teams fare poorly in international competitions – Bangladesh is ranked 160th in the world – its "fully football crazy" people are fanatical in their support of the two Latin American giants in World Cup competitions.

According to Bengali football historians, most fans were devoted to Brazil, mainly because of the 'magic' of Pele, until 1986 when Argentina's Diego Maradona scored 'the goal of the century' to beat England in the World Cup quarter final.

Dr Tanmoy Ganguly, president of The Real Power, the supporters club for East Bengal Football Club, said Maradona's skill in dribbling past four England players before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Peter Shilton electrified Bengali football fans and won millions of new devoted followers for Argentina.

Today villages through Bangladesh and across the border in West Bengal are divided between loyalties for both countries, but Brazil remains more popular.

Bengalis' love of football is rooted in the victory of Mohun Bagan AC, an Indian team from Calcutta, over the British Army's East Yorkshire Regiment in the 1911 Indian Football Association Shield final.

Their 2-1 victory was seen as a symbolic victory against British colonial rule and won millions of new passionate fans to the game, as well as increasing support for Indian independence, said Dr Ganguly.

"The British had been seen as invincible by themselves and Bengalis, but the victory fired the imagination of an oppressed society and made it popular among the natives," he said.

"India and Bangladesh are not very good at football. The passion is there, but ranking is low so there is a substitution. We try to get a taste of the contest by supporting other teams. Bengalis are passionate people."