Durand Cup champions Salgaocar maintained their supremacy over defending champions East Bengal when they edged past the ASEAN Cup champions 2-1 to open their campaign on a rousing note in the eighth National Football League, played at Nehru Stadium, at Margao on Sunday.
Salgaocar who dictated terms over their rivals in the midfield scored through Felix Ibrebru (24th) and Micky Fernandes (29th).
East Bengal who came back strongly in the second half reduced the margin in the 38th minute through Douglas Silva.
Tomba Singh, hero of the Durand Cup finals, led the attack for the hosts as he masterminded in plotting both the goals.
East Bengal looked shaky in the absence of Deepak Mondal. M Suresh was beaten by Tomba Singh's cross from the right. The ball deflected from a defender and fell on the path of unmarked Felix Ibrebru who slammed it into the net.
Salgaocar who kept on the pressure, increased the lead five minutes later when Fernandes met Tomba Singh cross with a flying header to find the far post.
Salgaocar defence particularly Bello Rasaq kept a close watch on Baichung Bhutia and did not allow the striker any space to operate. East Bengal, however, managed to reduce the margin in the 38th minute through Douglas Silva from a free kick.
Douglas was bought down by Felix on the top of the box. He took the free kick that beat keeper Dastidar to find the far post.
Salgaocar received a setback few minutes before the interval as Tomba Singh had to leave the field with injury and East Bengal who lacked the thrust and urgency in the first half came back strongly in the second half as they had more of the ball possession but met stiff resistance from the rival defence as they tried to find the equaliser.
With their defence also moving up, East Bengal nearly paid the price when Salgaogar forwards found the gap on two occasions but failed to convert.
East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick was disgusted with his team's performance.
"It's the worst performance I have ever seen since I have taken over as coach of East Bengal. In the Durand Cup and Super Cup, all though we lost the finals against Salgaocar and Mahindras our team played as a unit on both occasions. We have to wake up and play as a unit before it is late as we play our next match against Vasco", added Bhowmick.
On the other hands, Salgaocar coach, Savio Medeira was happy with his team performance. "We had a plan to block Bhutia, Okoro and Alvito whenever they tried to break our defence and I am happy we stuck to the plan".
"Being a big game our boys concentrated well and remained focused till the end which helped us to win and I am happy with them", said Medeira.
Referee Walter Pereira showed yellow cards to Salgaocar's Felix Ibrebru, Fredy Mascarenhas, East Bengal's Shasty Duleh and Douglas Silva.