Ahly moved within touching distance of a place in the final mini-league phase after striker Amr Gamal inspired them to a 2-0 victory at Ittihad in Egyptian Premier League Group A on Wednesday. A first-half stunning volley and a 75th-minute header were all what the Reds needed to hand interim coach Fathi Mabrouk a first win in his second game in charge. Ahly are now level on 33 points with leaders Smouha but the former have a superior goal difference. Ittihad, who played a game more than Ahly, remain third with 30 points. Ittihad need to win their remaining two games and hope Ahly only collect less than three points in their last three matches, a scenario that looks highly unlikely. The top two in each group will advance to a mini-league phase to determine the league winner. Ahly are chasing an eighth consecutive title. Dull affair, Gamal scores twice In a largely insipid affair, Ahly took the lead after just 11 minutes when the 22-year-old Gamal superbly controlled a cross from midfielder Mahmoud Hassan 'Trezeguet' before unleashing a stunning volley from inside the area. Ahly controlled possession throughout the half but struggled to pose real threat on goal as striker Ahmed Raouf came close five minutes from the interval, but his headed effort from close range missed the target. Despite putting in some commendable displays this season, the Alexandrians – who held Ahly to a goalless draw in the reverse fixture – were toothless during the game as they failed to mount genuine threat throughout. But 30 minutes into the second period, Gamal notched his second of the night – this time heading home Ahly top-scorer Abdallah El-Saied's cross for the up-and-coming forward's seventh goal of the campaign. (For more sports news and updates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/100744.aspx
