The first round of the African Champions' League's final battle between the Egyptian team Al-Ahli and the Tunisian team Esperance has ended with draw by the score (1-1). At 49', Esperance took the lead when Walid El-Hichri scored the first goal in the match from a corner kick using the blunder of the goal keeper Sherif Ikramy. At 88', Al-Ahli got back to the competition when the substitute Elsayyed Hamdi saved his team and scored a goal from Ahmed Fathi's deft through. The first leg was held in Egypt, Borg El-Arab Stadium. The final result will be known after the second leg which will be held on 17th of November in Tunisia, Rades stadium. According to Filgoal, Al-Ahli VS Esperance first match in details… 'First half' 1' The first half kicks off..fans are anticipating an entertaining game 2' Ahli possessing ball in midfield as Abou-Treika's attempted through is blocked by a defender 3' Abdullah Al-Saied wins a free kick from way out..let's see what he's going to do with it 3' He sends the free kick narrowly wide over the bar 4' The home side are pouring forward from early on as they are boosted by their vociferous fans 5' Superb control by Abou-Treika in midfield as he sends Geddo who fires a low shot wide 6' Ahli are dominating the early stages of the game as Al-Saeid squanders a promising shot into the keeper's hands 8' Good start from the Reds, they still need to pose genuine threat though 10' Esperance's Aouadhi receives the first booking of the game following a fierce tackle 11' Full-back Derbali handed a yellow card as he is certain now to miss the second leg 12' Naguib heads a corner kick wide...seemed dangerous though 13' Offside against N'Djeng as the visitors attempt to push forward 14' WHAT A CHANCE!!! Al-Saeid fires a left-footed strike from long range which is blocked by the keeper..the first real threat from the Reds 16' Ahli in full control now..the opener seems close 17' Geddo in an offside position 18' Foul for the hosts from way out..let's see how they will deal with that 18' An awful cross by Sherif Abdul-Fadil..goal kick for the Tunisians 19' Gomaa with a timely tackle to deny N'Djeng on the left..great from the veteran 20' Fathi struggles to control the ball as he is pressured from the opponents..good control though 21' Foul against Fathi in the visitors' box 22' Free kick for Esperance on the left as Gomaa brings down N'Djeng 23' Soliman fouled on the other end..the Reds maintain possession 26' N'Djeng on the ground..it seems he is suffering an injury 29' Superb team move by the home side blocked by a defender 32' Foul for Ahli near the half way line 33' WHAT A MISS!!!! and from who! from Abou-Treika!! Fathi cuts back to Abou-Treika who blasts high with the goal at his mercy!! Unbelievable from the Egypt veteran 34' Ahli fans must be lamenting such an easy chance that for sure could have earned them the lead 35' The visitors are solid at the back while Ahli sustain their pressure..keep wondering if the the Tunisians will be able to keep a clean sheet 37' Geddo goes one on one with the keeper as the former falls while the keeper rushes out towards the ball..penalty? the referee says no! 38' TV replays show that the referee's decision was correct.. 40' a good through by Ghaly but Geddo fails to make contact with him 42' foul for the Reds near the half way line 43' Another offside against N'Djeng..could be his third tonight 44' foul for Soliman as he seems a bit tense 45' Chemmam cautioned after kicking the ball into Soliman whom he fouled a second earlier 45+1' Half time beckons as the visitors are close to ending the first half as they wish with no goals conceded away from home 45+2' Fathi pleads for a spot kick following an aerial challenge.. 45+3' the referee blows the whistle signaling the end of the first half as Ahli need to break the visitors steadfast defense ahead of the return leg in Tunis 45+3' Lets's see how things will change after the interval 'Second half' 46' The second half..the Reds are in control outright 47' N'Djeng blasts wide as he tries his luck from a tight angle after failing to find support inside the box 48' Offside against Esperance..the home fans breathed a sigh of relief as they felt some danger from the opponents 49' GOAAAAAAAAAAALLLL!!!!! Esperance takes the lead against the run of play!! An Ekrami blunder costs the Reds a goal as he fails to deal with a corner kick, only for Hichri to head home at the near post 50' Fathi fails to latch on a through ball down the right..the fans' boisterous chants could be well heard now 51' Hamdi, who came on for Abdul-Fadil, hits a low shot wide after exchanging passes with Abou-Treika 52' Ahli now play with two men upfront after being one goal down as Soliman assumes the left back role 53' Al-Saied strikes a rocketing shot from long range as the keeper denies him in superb fashion 55' Affum yellow carded after fouling Soliman..he misses the second leg 56' The Reds seem despirited after conceding the goal..they need to press more 57' Another CHANCE for Ahli as the vigilant Cherifia thwarts Geddo's long-range thundrous strike 58' Barakat introduced instead of Ghaly 59' Ahli seem to lose their tight grip on midfield, is it because they are demoralized following the goal or because they lost a man in midfield after Soliman moved back to assume the left back role? 60' Al-Saied strikes a long-range shot..easily gathered by the in-form Cherifia 61' Hichri fells Hamdi on the left..free kick 62' poorly implemented..sends it away from the area! 63' foul for Esperance in their half 65' The visitors second corner in the half 66' What a CHANCE!! N'Djeng could have made it two when his header missed the target by inches 68' Fathi attemtps to skip past a defender on the right..the latter dispossesses him brilliantly 69' free kick for the home side...Al-Saied takes it 70' Geddo poorly meets the crossed free kick to deny his side what could have been a chance 71' Barakat fails to connect with a cross at the far post..goal kick 72' Afful inexplicably falls down..is it a cramp or just burning time? 73' Abou-Treika wastes ANOTHER CHANCE from point-blank range!! Hamdi whips in an inviting cross for the Egypt international who tapped it but the keeper magnificently denied him 75' free kick for the Reds on the left side of the area..from good position 76' poorly executed..much to the fans frustration 77' Fathi should control his temper, the full back should avoid a second caution 78' Throw-in for the Reds...ends up with no threat on the visitors' goal 79' Soliman brilliantly dribbles past a defender down the left 80' Offside against the Reds..the fans cheers could be clearly heard 81' Meteb is now being introduced..now replacing Geddo 82' Fathi's cross intercepted 83' Soliman strikes from outside the area..too weak and off target! 85' Barakat earns a foul from a great position at the edge of the area.. 86' Al-Saied and Soliman are on the ball now 86' Al-Saied takes it as it easily reaches the keeper's hands 88' The Tunisians are now camping in their own half as they try to defend their lead 88' GOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!! Ahli restore parity via the substitute Hamdi Fathi sent a deft through pass latched on by Hamdi who broke clear to level the scoring 89' Ahli are now in charge in search for the winner.... the game is set alight!!!! 90+1' Al-Saied's strike deflected off a defender for a corner kick 90+2' Ahli continue to push forward.... 90+3' Abou-Treika strikes wide with the goal gaping..could have ended the game with his side leading ahead of the return leg 90+4' The referee ends the game following a four-minute-stoppage time. The Reds now need to win the return leg which takes place a fortnight from now.
