Air-India treaded onto the pitch with trepidation. It was four years ago, in 1995, that their team won the league title on the Bombay Hockey Association's Astro Turf.

Four years later, their first sojourn brings them a 5-0 win over Nobody's Sports Club and a place in the semi-finals of the Bombay Hockey Championships.

There was another reason for Air-India to start cautiously. It has been three months since they played their last match in the Senior National Championships at Hyderabad.

``We wanted the players back in match fitness,'' said Vernon Lobo, the manager of the Air-India team.

Four years ago, Air-India was one of the strongest teams of the country. Since then they have gained recognition in the form of being allowed a seperate team in the National championships.

And with a plethora of former international stars, Air-India could have run Nobody aground. Gavin Ferreira, Darryl D'Souza, who also acts as the coach, Edward Aranha, CorniliusD'Costa, Rajesh Chauhan were among the few in their line-up. Twin strikes in the sixth and seventh minutes by Edward Aranha and Alex D'Souza helped them scotch the fight. One more goal, by Kishore Kumar before half time, made the second half academic. Davinder Kumar and Aranha completed the tally in the second half.

But they were unhappy -- about the pitch.

``It is too bumpy,'' said Vernon. ``And I do not think it will settle down,'' he informed.

``We were expecting the pitch to be laid, but the speed with which it was done surprised us.

We have had a long and tiring season and did not want to exert today,'' Vernon said.

It was evident on the pitch. Air-India were not going to be challenged by Nobody. And once Air-India settled into their rhythm, they passed the ball around for everybody to have a feel. Goals were just incidental.