Sri Lanka, Oct. 10 -- Sri Lanka's national football team produced one of the greatest moments in its sporting history when they defeated higher-ranked Turkmenistan 1-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Third Round match at the Racecourse Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

It was Sri Lanka's first-ever win over Turkmenistan in international football. Ranked 197th in the FIFA standings, the islanders stunned the 138th-ranked visitors with an inspired and disciplined display that sent the packed home crowd into celebration.

The hero of the night was Leon Perera, who scored the decisive goal in the 67th minute, guiding the hosts to a famous victory after the first half ended goalless.

Sri Lanka's defender Jason Thayaparan was outstanding, pulli...