AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Hosts Goa and 31-times champions West Bengal were off to winning starts on the opening day of the 71^st National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy in Goa. While Goa beat Meghalaya 2-1, West Bengal scraped past Chandigarh by a solitary goal.

At the JMC Bambolim Stadium, after a barren first half, U-21 Player Latesh Latesh Mandrekar put Goa in the lead in the 50^th minute. Hardly had the celebrations died down, Liston Colaco another U-21 Player doubled the score in the 52^nd minute.

Stung after conceding two goals in two minutes, Meghalaya tried to regroup and pulled one back almost immediately when U-21 Player Enestar Malngiang scored in the 55^th minute.

In the other match, Bengal rode on a 90^th minute strike from SK Faiaz at the Navelim ground.