JOIN USThe result will brighten India’s chances of making it to the final. Lebanon were leading 2-1 at the breather with goals from Akram Moghrabi (ninth minute) and Ali Al Saad (45th) after Issadeen had given Sri Lanka side a surprised lead in the seventh minute.
In the second half, MNM Issadeen struck two more (80th and 88th) and captain Chathura Maduranga found the target in the 83rd minute before Mohammad Korhani reduced the margin in the injury time in the match that saw two red cards, one each on each side. Sri Lanka’s victory in their campaign opener meant that Lebanon have just three points from two matches and that should be good news for defending champions India.
Sri Lanka gave a shock to their opponents by taking the lead in the seventh minute through Issadeen. The Lebanese, however, restored parity two minutes later through Akram Moghrabi off a pass by Ali El Atat.
Lebanon suffered a jolt in the 42nd minute when goal-scorer Moghrabi was sent off by Indian referee Arumughan Rowan for a dangerous foul on WRDRD Ruwanthilake.
But the Lebanese took the lead at the stroke of halftime as defender Ali Al Saad scored with a header off a free kick from near the left top of the box to go to the breather 2-1.
The last 10 minutes, which saw four goals, changed the whole complexion of the game. In 80th minute, Issadeen equalised after Lebanese goalkeeper Freije failed to collect a Gunaratne shot. Three minutes later, captain Maduranga scored off a fine cross from Raumy Mohideen.
In the 88th minute, Issadeen sent the ball past the left of Lebanese goalkeeper after collecting a pass from Ruwanthilake. Just before the final hooter, Sri Lankan DW Hettiarachchi was sent off for fouling Ali El Atatinsidfe the box and the resultant penalty kick was converted by Mohammad Korhani.