Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri. File
| Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K

Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Díaz found the target twice to help Bengaluru FC prevail over a 10-man Indian Navy football team 4-0 in a Group B league match of the 133rd Durand Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Wednesday.

Rahul Bheke opened the scoring process before captain Sunil Chhetri doubled the lead off a penalty to have Bengaluru leading 2-0 at halftime. Diaz came in as a late substitute to find two quick goals and see Bengaluru giving an emphatic start to its campaign. The Indian Navy defender was ejected with a red card in the 39th minute.

Liton Shil struck late in the opening half to help Indian Army FT surprise former ISL champion Chennaiyin FC by a solitary goal in a Group D encounter at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur. The win had the Indian Army joining host Jamshedpur FC on top of the group standings with three points.

The results

Group B: Bengaluru FC 4 (Bheke 10, Chhetri 41-pen, Díaz 79, 90) bt Indian Navy FT 0.

Group D: Indian Army FT 1 (Liton Sil 42) bt Chennaiyin FC 0.

Leon Augustine of Punjab FC during match 6 of Group C played between CISF Protectors FT and Punjab FC of the 133rd Durand Cup 2024, at Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, on July 30, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Punjab FC opened its campaign on a confident note as it blanked the paramilitary outfit CISF Protectors 3-0 in a Group C league match of the 133rd Durand Cup, at the Kishore Bharati Stadium here on Tuesday.

Dominating from the start Punjab found the lead through its captain Luka Majcen, who found the net in the 29th minute. The Slovenian forward doubled the lead in the 58th minute by producing another nice finish before Vinit Rai secured the win for Punjab FC converting a penalty in the 76th minute.

NorthEast United FC bagged the full quota of points by downing the local side Bodoland FC 2-0 in a group E match at SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. Two second half goals by Jithin M.S and Ankith Padmanabhan ensured that NorthEast United opened its campaign with a win.

The result

Group C (Kolkata): Punjab FC 3 (Luka Majcen 29, 58, Vinit Rai 76-pen) bt CISF Protectors 0.

Group E (Kokrajhar): NorthEast United FC 2 (Jithin M.S. 49, Ankith Padmanabhan 90+3) bt Bodoland FC 0.