Blanking Manipur with 3-0, Bengal began their title defence while Kerala beat Chandigarh 5-1 on the opening day of the national football championship for the 72nd Santosh Trophy in Kolkata on Monday.

As per a report published in Business Standard on Monday, Bengal, the record 32 times champions, constantly pressed on the attack as Sumit Das struck a double (sixth and 15th minutes) to give them a 2-0 lead at the break in a display of sheer dominance at the Howrah Stadium.

Sumit Das scored off a corner from the rebound to open his account, while he added a second in nine minutes, heading home a Bidyasagar Singh’s cross, the report stated.

With a 82nd minute goal Bidyasagar sealed the issue for Bengal.

The Bengal midfielder capitalised on a brilliant work by Sujay Dutta as his shot found the back of the net while Bengal goalkeeper Ranojit Majumdar should be given credit for his stellar show under the bar as he thwarted Manipur’s counter attacks to ensure a clean slate for his side.

The report also stated that in the other group A fixture of the day, Jithin MS struck a brace (11th and 51st) and assisted in two other goals as five-time champions Kerala toyed Chandigarh’s defence for a thumping 5-1 win.

In the match played at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium in Kolkata, Sajith Poulose struck in the 18th minute. Afdal V K (49th) and substitute Sreekuttan V S (77th) scored the two other goals for the Kerala team.

For Chandigarh, Vishal Sharma was the lone scorer, who struck in the 88th minute.

The southern team broke the deadlock when Seesan S sent a through ball for right winger Jithin. The U-21 player received the ball at the edge of the box and found the back of the net comfortably.

On the other hand, Poulose found the back of the net from Jithin’s low cross from the right flank to double their lead, the report stated.

With Jithin leading his team’s side, Kerala were able to get more applause from the audience with their performance in the second half.

In the 65th minute, Sreekuttan was brought in place of Jithin and he scored the final goal for Kerala.