New Delhi, August 22: Mohammed Issaden completed a hat-trick as Sri Lanka put on a sterling display to stun Lebanon 4-3 in their opening match of the ONGC Nehru Cup football at the Ambedkar Stadium here Saturday.
Sri Lanka may have done a good turn to India by beating Lebanon, who defeated the hosts in their opening match. The island nation’s surprise victory might have opened up the race for the two final spots.
Lebanon, who were riding high after their 1-0 win over India, were listless against the young and the energetic Sri Lankans.
Issaden was undoubtedly the star of the evening but the win wouldn’t have been possible without his striking partner Ediri Channa. Issaden and Channa, with their tremendous speed, made life tough for the well-built Lebanese defenders. Skipper Chathura Maduranga scored in the 83rd minute to complete the tally.
For Lebanon, Akram Moghrabi scored the equaliser before he was red carded and Ali Al Saad brought them back in the game by striking in the injury time of the first half. Mohamad Korhani pulled one back from a penalty at the stroke of final whistle to reduce the margin.
Sri Lanka, ranked 156th in the FIFA rankings, took the surprise lead in the eighth minute after Issaden slotted home a precise pass from Channa. Lebanon were lucky to get the equaliser the next minute after Moghrabi headed in an accurate Mohmoud El Ali cross from the right.
The Sri Lankan midfield was more creative and kept up the pressure right till the end. They enjoyed more ball possession while Lebanon had to pay for their miss-passes.
Disaster struck for Lebanon in the 41st minute when Moghrabi was red-carded for elbowing a Sri Lankan midfielder.
Down to 10 men, it was difficult for Lebanon to keep up with the pace of the Sri Lankans.
Al Saad, however, struck just before the breather to give Lebanon a 2-1 lead.
Sri Lanka had to wait till the 80th minute to score the equaliser. Issaden turned the game on its head in the last 10 minutes, he first shot from a rebound in the 80th minute to make it 2-2. Three minutes later Maduranga’s volley brought back Sri Lanka into the game.
Issaden struck again when he dribbled past two defenders and scored to complete his hat-trick.
Sri Lanka were also reduced to 10-men after W. Hettiarachchi was red carded for bringing down Al El Etat in the injury time and Korhani reduced the margin with a penalty kick.
—IANS