I-League: Holders Mohun Bagan beat promoted Aizawl FC 3-1, Sunil Chhetri wins it for Bengaluru FC

The winners and runners-up of last year's edition got off to a dream start this term.

New Delhi: The 2015-16 I-League season started with defending champions Mohun Bagan registering a comfortable 3-1 win over debutants Aizawl FC 3-1 at Vidyasagar Krirangan, Barasat.

Last edition's runner-up Bengaluru FC also got off to a positive start as they scored a goal in both halves to down hosts Salgaocar 2-1 in their inaugural match of the Hero I-League football in Vasco.

Bengaluru FC, who held upper hand throughout the match, created numerous chances and took the lead in the 5th minute through C K Vineeth. Darryl Duffy restored parity in the 41st minute for Salgaocar.

Sunil Chhetri then scored the match winner in the 60th minute off a free kick after Gurjinder Kumar handed the ball just outside the box.

Earlier, Bagan's new signing Cornell Glenn opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute before completing his brace in the 21st. Experienced Balwant Singh scored the third goal, even as defender Pritam Kotal scoring an own goal to give the Mizoram outfit a chance after the first goal.

The Trinidad and Tobago forward was the difference between the two sides, with Aizawl's Liberian Alfred Jayran failing to convert any of the chances that came his way.

Despite all the four goals coming in the first half itself, the match was kept alive by a vigorous Aizawl side with many promising moves in the second half. His failure in front of the goal negated the brilliant second half play from the promoted side.

With the win, Bagan have garnered three points and will be happy to have escaped with full points from a tricky fixture.