Ahly gave new manager Juan Carlos Garrido a winning start after labouring to a 1-0 victory over lowly Ragaa in the Egypt Cup quarter finals on Thursday. A 59th-minute header from fit-again Egypt striker Emad Metab, who had missed the majority of the season because of injury, was enough to take Ahly through to the semis. The Reds, who were recently crowned league champions for the eighth consecutive season, could have doubled their lead 15 minutes later but Egypt right-back Ahmed Fathi saw a penalty kick blocked by the keeper. In Alexandria, cup holders Zamalek secured a hard-fought victory over Haras El-Hodoud, thanks to a late strike from youngster Mostafa Fathi. The Whites, who had seven first-team regulars ruled out by manager Mido for technical reasons, needed a fortunate 86th-minute deflection from Fathi – a goal that came only six minutes after the hosts squandered a one-on-one chance. Ahly now meet league runners-up Smouha in the competition's semis as reigning champions Zamalek face last season's Egypt Cup finalists Wadi Degla. (For more sports newsandupdates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/105972.aspx
