A first-half strike by Balwant Singh saw 10-man Mohun Bagan edge Churchill Brothers 1-0 in their opening I-League clash on Sunday.
Mohun Bagan took the decisive lead in the 28th minute as an unmarked Balwant Singh headed in home from a brilliant cross by Pritam Kotal.
Bagan were forced on the back foot in the second half as Subhashish Bose received his second yellow to leave his side a man down. Bagan though held on to the lead and crossed the line as victors.
Meanwhile, Mumbai FC beat DSK Shivajians 1-0 on back of a 21st-minute goal by Thoi Singh. Debutants Chennai City FC and Miverva Punjab FC played out a 0-0 draw in their first-ever I-League outing.
The scores
- Mohun Bagan 1 (Balwant Singh) beat Churchill Brothers 0.
- Mumbai FC 1 (Thoi Singh) beat DSK Shivajians 0.
- Chennai City FC 0 drew with Minerva Punjab FC 0.
