BANGALORE, May 27: Defending champions Indian Airlines begin favourites against erstwhile champions, Railways, when the quarter-final action of the Punjab and Sind Bank 58th Senior National Hockey Championship begins on the virgin Poligras surface at the Karnataka State Hockey Association Stadium at Akkithimmanahalli, here on Wednesday.

However, the star-studded Airlines cannot afford to take things lightly as former champions Railways are capable of springing a surprise. Hosts Karnataka and Services too are in for toil being pitted against debutants Air-India and Bombay respectively. Tamil Nadu is in for an easy outing against babes Gujarat, who made it to the last-eight stage for the first time.

Holders Indian Airlines with six players from the current Indian team and a host of former internationals appear solid on paper, and unless Railways raise the level of their game appreciably, they have a tough task on hand. The Airlines defence manned by Sanjay Bisht, Dilip Tirkey and Rajneesh Mishra can proove a thorn in the flesh of any attacking side and even if one goes past the solid line, custodians whether it is Ashish Ballal or Subbaiah -- will be tough customers to beat. Their attack consisting of Mukesh Kumar, Brojen Singh, Atif Idris and Virinder Singh can send shivers down the rivals on its day and the bench strength, too, is enviable.

On the other hand, Railways have the potential to ground Airlines, with the veteran Vasudevan Baskaran guiding them.

It is a good mix of youth and experience and if the master coach can weave a strategy to supplement the skill of the players, in the form of tactics, an interesting battle is on cards.

Railways have nothing to lose and are expected to go all out to tumble the holders. Besides internationals Hasrat Qureshi and Ashok Kumar they have an young star in Ajinder Pal Singh, who had performed admirably in the league matches. Railways, like Airlines, had an easy passage to the knock-out stage.

Air-India, who are playing in the first Nationals is the only associate member team to enter the knockout phase. In the last league match they staged a splendid comeback and scored thrice in the second half to send fancied Punjab packing out of the tournament. Air-India's win, however, raised hopes among the hosts as they appeared a jaded team, at times, in the earlier phase of the league.

As such Air-India cannot afford to take things easy as Karnataka with some bubbling youngsters and talented veterans, under the guidance of junior India coach Ramesh Parameswaran, are raring to go.

The other match, Gujarat will be easy meat for Tamil Nadu, who are expected to go through to the semi-finals without any hiccups.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.