Emami East Bengal were a goal down for most of the first half. But they pulled in their weight after the change of ends and pumped in three goals to prevail 3-1 over Indian Air Force (IAF) in their Durand Cup opener at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday.

IAF took the lead in the 19th minute through Somananda Singh, but strikes from David Lalhlansanga, Dimitrios Diamantakos and Saul Crespo ensured East Bengal full points.

The East Bengal defence was caught napping as Saurav Sadhukhan’s cross from the right was met by Somananda before his header beat goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to put IAF ahead.

East Bengal, however, restored parity in the 43rd minute when Madih Talal found Lalhlansanga through a chip, and the Mizo striker fended off the challenge from a rival defender and slotted hometo make it 1-1 alongside registering his first goal in East Bengal colours.

Head coach Carles Cuadrat’s move, thereafter, to bring in Greek forward Diamantakos and Vishnu P.V. in place of Lalhlansanga and Naorem Mahesh Singh paid off. Diamantakos produced a header off a cross from left-back Mark Zothanpuia to put East Bengal ahead in the 61st minute.

East Bengal then doubled their lead seven minutes later. A move from Diamantakos and Souvik Chakrabarti set it up for Crespo, who gained control with a superb first touch to put his marker away before unleashing a right-footer.