After three years in the wilderness, State Bank of Travancore celebrated their return to the National Football League in style, beating Salgaocar, Goa, 4-3 in their opening match of the ninth edition of the league at the Nehru stadium in Margao on Friday.
The fleet-footed bankmen exploited the chinks in the Salgaocar to score through Man-of-the-Match Mohammed Rafi M (fifth and 50th minutes), Ignatius Sylvester (64th) and substitute Mohammed Aslam.
Salgaocar, who had more goal scoring chances, reduced the margin through Francis Andrade (39th minute), substitute Samson Singh (70th) and Felix Ibrebru (71st).
Also see: Mahindra, Churchill in drab draw