India's [ Images ] premier football club East Bengal defeated local side Geylang United 3-2 in the AFC Cup opener at the Bedok Stadium in Singapore on Tuesday.

The hosts went into the lead through Mohammad Hafiz Rahim who converted a corner in the 40th minute, according to information received in New Delhi [ Images ].

But Geylang's lead proved to be shortlived as two minutes later East Bengal equalised through their Brazilian import Christiano Junior. The first half ended with a 1-1 scoreline.

It were the visitors who went 2-1 up in the second half when Junior again succeeded in slotting home in the 71st minute.

East Bengal made it 3-1 when Bijen Singh found the net with seven minutes remaining on the clock.

Geylang raised hopes of a comeback with a goal in the injury time through Jeyapal (3-2) but their attempts for a an equaliser were thwarted effectively by the Bengal defence.

The return leg will be played in Kolkata [ Images ] in May.