Sri Lanka rode on a hat-trick from MNM Issadeen to shock Lebanon 4-3 in a thrilling round-robin match of the Nehru Cup international football tournament at Ambedkar stadium in Delhi on Saturday.
Lebanon, who beat India 1-0 in the tournament opener, 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 twice (80th and 88th) and captain Chathura Maduranga found the target in the 83rd minute before Mohammad Korhani reduced the margin in injury time as Sri Lanka posted a well-earned victory.
The match saw two red cards, one each on each side, being handed out.