India's 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.

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 in May.