But Chennai Customs, playing in the tournament for the first time, is brimming with hope and enthusiasm, hoping to stay till the end of the tournament. And a win tomorrow against Central Railway, Mumbai, will be a big morale booster to the team which has not come into the tournament in the best of shape.

With rain wrecking practice plans back home, the team had to make do with a small field to prepare for the big test. And then, injuries took their toll and Customs have lost some players while others are limping to recovery. As such, the team line-up is undecided, with coach D Shekharan looking to field his fittest.

Former international Shekharan said the wings -- 21-year-old K Kulothungan and R Raja Rajan -- will try to break into the railway defence with hard working wingback A Chendur likely to feed them andalso fall back in defence. Customs are also familiar with playing in this city, with Shekharan having played here between 1982-85 and MK Candid having worn Mahindras colours last year.

Super League champions in the Chennai District Football Association last year and runners-up in the Senior Division this time, Customs are attempting to cap their five-year success run in the local league with a win here.

Customs will have to look their best against the railwaymen, runners-up in the Western India Football Association Super League last year and champions a few times. The railwaymen have no such worries, injuries or otherwise, except for defender Prakash Fernandes' absence. But the team, brimming with talent and strong on the bench, should start favourites against the `rookies' from Chennai.

CR coach Irenio Vaz stated that they were looking for a win tomorrow, a right start as it would be to the Rovers Cup.