In football, West Bengal beat Punjab 1-0 in the inaugural match of the 75th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy at the Kottappadi Stadium in Malappuram this morning. After a barren first half, Subham Bhowmik scored the winner in the 61st minute as Bengal grabbed three precious points in Group ‘A’. Hosts Kerala will take on Rajasthan in their opening match later this evening. The match will begin at 8.00 P.M. at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri.