After three years in the wilderness, State Bank of Travancore [Get Quote] celebrated their return to the National Football League in style, beating Salgaocar, Goa [Images], 4-3 in their opening match of the ninth edition of the league at the Nehru stadium in Margao on Friday.

The fleet-footed bankmen exploited the chinks in the Salgaocar to score through Man-of-the-Match Mohammed Rafi M (fifth and 50^th minutes), Ignatius Sylvester (64th) and substitute Mohammed Aslam.

Salgaocar, who had more goal scoring chances, reduced the margin through Francis Andrade (39^th minute), substitute Samson Singh (70th) and Felix Ibrebru (71st).

Also see: Mahindra, Churchill in drab draw