Representation pic

Bengal began their title defence with a 3-0 blanking of Manipur, while Kerala hammered Chandigarh 5-1 on the opening day of the national football championship for the 72nd Santosh Trophy here today. Bengal, the record 32 times champions, constantly pressed on the attack as Sumit Das struck a double (sixth and 15th minutes) to give them a 2-0 lead at the break in a display of sheer dominance at the Howrah Stadium. Das scored off a corner from the rebound to open his account, while he added a second in nine minutes, heading home a Bidyasagar Singh's cross.