KOCHI: The wheat has been separated from the chaff, finally. And with Bengal, Goa, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka having joined the four seeded teams - Kerala, Punjab, Services and Manipur - the final showdown for the Air India Express-60th Santosh Trophy is all set to get underway at the Jawaharlal Nehru international stadium here from Friday.

The 12 teams in the fray indeed portray the cream of Indian football. But then, given the lopsided matches that featured in the cluster phases both in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, it would be naive to expect a total turnaround in the quality of action in the fixtures that are going to be premiered here through the next ten days.

To say that the game in the country is not at the pink of its health would be only an understatement.

And this is proved by the manner in which the conduct of the Santosh Trophy has been reduced to a mere annual ritual, though in reality it should have remained the most prestigious event of the Indian football calendar.

Simply because, it remains the only event in the country today for the emerging youth to establish their credentials at the senior level and gain the immediate attention of not only the selectors but also of the big-moneyed clubs.

Kerala looks formidable

To get back to the tournament proper, the first priority of the teams would be to go through the league phase and as things stand it should be really a stroll for holder and host Kerala in Group A.

Drawn alongside Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, the home side being led by goalkeeper M.V. Nelson looks formidable at least on paper.

Especially after its weak link -- the defence -- has been strengthened with the inclusion of Vinu Jose and M. Suresh.

The side is also likely to gain much from the experience of I.M. Vijayan, who is now likely to play a crucial role as a withdrawn forward and provide the required thrust to the speedy Kerala forays in the company of Abdul Noushad and Co. The crowd support too will be a big boost for Kerala.

Real tussle

In Group B, the real tussle for the top spot should be between runner-up Punjab and Karnataka, the latter has the benefit of the expertise of National captain S. Venkatesh and several other veterans at its diposal.

Tamil Nadu is the third team in this pool Though by accident, Group C made up of Services, Maharashtra and Bengal has emerged, as the `Group of Death' .

True, Bengal might have struggled hard to get here after being held to a surprise 1-1 draw by Mizoram in the initial phase.

But then, given its depth in the defence and midifield, the 29-time champion does hold a slight edge to top this tough pool, even though it is still uncertain whether Bhaichung Bhutia would be here to assist his adopted State.

Especially, as the Bengal team management had failed to register his name at the cluster stage. The matter, it is reported, is under the consideration of the AIFF now and a decision awaited.

Having rained goals -- 32 in all over three matches -- Goa should be team to be watch out for in Group D, ahead of Manipur and Assam.

It is for the 12th time that Kerala is hosting the prestigious tournament and the larger question which stares the home team fans is whether Kochi would prove to lucky, for a third-time-in-a-row for Kerala after the success of 1973 and 1993.

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