Crislan Da Silva scored a stoppage-time header to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory for Gokulam Kerala over debutants Samaleswari SC in Kozhikode.
Gokulam held a 2-0 lead at half-time following goals from Crislan in the 16th minute and Makan Chothe in the 25th minute.
Samaleswari fought back in the second half through an own goal by Mohammed Rafi and a 90th-minute penalty converted by Jorge Pereyra Diaz.