A bumpy, grassy surface, ravaged earlier by rain, threatens to turn the contest into a lottery and the Western India Football Association (WIFA) has been slapped out of slumber by team officials' discontent. Hurried activity by the ground staff, however, does not erase apprehension among the teams.Out came the grass cutter but the heavy roller, according to WIFA officials here, will only be used on Monday morning just before Salgaocar take on State Bank of Travancore in another pre-quarterfinal match.

Air-India look formidable on paper against their young adversaries from Punjab comprising mainly students. Bimal Ghosh, voted best coach at the last National Football League, is enthusiastic despite smarting from a controversial defeat against Vasco (Goa) in the earlier leagueround. A disputed penalty and bad ground conditions at Nagpur rife in the memory, Ghosh prefers to dwell on a balanced squad, likely to carry the defending local Super Division League champions' challenge in this competition.

As also, pleasant memories of victory for third place two years ago against PSEB in the Durand Cup in New Delhi. Ghosh bravely fielded a team of youngsters and Air-India were richer by Rs 60,000 after pulling off a sensational win.

Air-India will cope with the absence of defender Ratan Singh (leg injury) and suspensions to Taposh Ghosh (mid-fielder) and Ajay Acharya (defender). But Bimal Ghosh is happy with the balance his team is showing.

His stars strikers Godfrey Pereira, Nitin Shetty, Abbas Ali Rizvi and Anthony Fernandes are playing well as are defenders Sandeep Kharat and Radakrishna Dubey. The airmen have boosted their defence with the acquistion of Devdas from Eastern Railway whose transfer has just been cleared.

And along with Dennis George and youngster Surjit Tigga,Ghosh has choices aplenty. Not to mention Subir Sinha, the menacing wing-back who lends a formidable look to the mid-field as well.

Clear underdogs, PSEB coach Darshan Singh Ghoga will take solace in qualifying for the semi-finals on three occasions. In tomorrow's encounter, however, his expectations must be modest.

The team is packed with collegians, propped by a sprinkling of veterans -- Madan Lal (mid-fielder), Sandeep Saini (striker) and Gurdish Singh, skipper and striker. PSEB will also count on Dilip Kumar, the experienced stopper in the side comprising six Santosh Trophy players.