Kingfisher East Bengal began their Durand campaign in style, brushing aside the blues of their teammates being arrested, when they defeated Army XI 3-1 today.

However, the first half did not go East Bengal's way having conceded the lead to the armymen when Sukhwinder Singh converted from an innocuous freekick.

With coach Subhas Bhowmik camping in Kolkata for Shasty-Dipankar, the red-golds looked directionless. Then a couple of calls to the coach and things turned on its head.

East Bengal scored thrice in the second half to stampo their unflinching dominance even as the army footballers retreated in haste.

In the second half Surya Bikash Chakroborty nmade way for Akshay Das. Douglas moved upfront, Paulo moved into the midfield. Nabi took his position as right half and Tulunga moved to the right flank.Suddenly, the entire picture changed and East Bengal looked a different side.

In the first minute of second-half Nabi cut across the right and send an intelligent pass to Douglas who in turn set up Paulo in the clear. Paulo does not miss many from that close.(1-1)

Now the Kolkata giants were a different side. Tulunga and Nabi played a wall pass among themselves before setting up Douglas in the box. The Braziilian was tripped just as he was about to take the shot. Penalty. Chandan Das scores to make it 2-1.

Towards the end of the match East Bengal earned another penalty as Sukhwinder handled the ball in the box. He was shown a red card for showing dissent. Paulo completed the scoreline 3-1