Skipper Renedy Singh and Brazilian striker Jose Barreto scored a goal each as former champions Mohun Bagan beat debutants Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 in the inaugural match of eighth National Football League in Kolkata on Friday.
The three-time NFL champions struck once in each half to nullify the spirited challenge posed by the Sporting youngsters, more so in the later session of the match at the Salt Lake Stadium.
After missing out on a couple of early chances, Bagan took the lead in the 34th minute when Renedy's sudden long ranger from a counter-attack caught Sporting custodian Gumpe Rime unawares and sneaked into the net to the utter dismay of a crowded Sporting defence.
Rime, who otherwise put up a brilliant performance under the bar, stretched to the full to his right but to no avail.
Sporting, till date undefeated by Bagan this season, upped the ante right from the beginning of the second half and carried out a series of raids to push Bagan to their defence.
However, Bagan's famed Brazilian striker Barreto, who looked a pale shadow of himself for most part of the game, showed flashes of brilliance in the 85th minute to ensure three points for his side.
Bagan initiated a sudden counter-attack through defender Manitombi Singh, who ran down the right flank and aired a measured cross into the rival box when Barreto, coming out of nowhere, pounced on the ball to shoot home past a helpless Sporting 'keeper.
