East Bengal secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Calcutta Football League’s opening derby clash. The match featured a unique twist as both teams fielded their reserve players under Indian coaches due to a recent AIFF regulation barring foreign players in domestic leagues. Young Kerala recruits, Vishnu and Thonikkara, scored for East Bengal while Suhail Bhat pulled one back for Mohun Bagan late in the game.