CAIRO: Harras Al-Hodoud kept alive their hopes of playing African football next season after crushing Aluminum 3-0 at home in the Egyptian League on Wednesday. Talented winger Abdel Salam Nagah put the Alexandrian club ahead after 10 minutes with a low shot from the edge of the area. Nagah turned from scorer to provider in the 30th minute when his cross found striker Abdel Hamid Bassiouni, who made no mistake from close range. Amr Al-Dali completed the rout six minutes later from the spot as Al-Hodoud claimed a convincing victory. The result put the military club in sixth place of the league table with 34 points, three adrift of second-placed Ismaili, who face ENPPI later on Wednesday. If Al-Hodoud managed to cause an upset and finish second ahead of heavyweights Zamalek and Ismaili, they will grab the final Champions League qualifying spot. They also have a more realistic target of claiming third place and reaching the CAF Confederation Cup.Aluminum are tenth on 23 points, just three ahead of the relegation zone. They still risk losing their top-flight status after just one season in the premier league. On the same day, 10-man Ghazl Mahalla secured a 2-1 victory over Arab Contractors away from home. Mahalla top scorer Ahmed Hassan opened the scoring in the 51st minute when he notched home on the rebound after Nader Al-Ashri s header was blocked by the keeper. Al-Ashri extended Mahalla advantage seven minutes later with a smart finish from close range. His joy did not last for long as he received his marching orders in the 69th minute for a second bookable offense. Contractors capitalized on their numerical advantage to pull one back in the 78th minute through Mahmoud Samir, whose shot from a tight angle went into the net.
