Minnows Ragaa stun defending champions Ahly to move to top

Late goal lifts Matrouh-based side over Ahly and to top of table with nine points in season debut

A stoppage time goal from Tarek Salem handed Ragaa their first ever victory over defending champions Ahly in a 2-1 win for their season debut on Thursday.
Emad Meteb canceled Amr Menoufy's 76th minute goal only three minutes later, but the second-half substitute had the killer shot in the 92nd minute to fire the Matrouh-based team to the top of the table with nine points.
The Red Devils were expected to be in great form, especially after reaching the Confederation Cup final for the first time ever.
Coach Juan Carlos Garrido started the game with his custom 4-3-3 formation with new defender Sherif Hazem making his debut on the right flank, replacing right wing-back Bassem Aly who is serving a one-month suspension.
As expected, Ahly started the game with an early press for a quick goal. They dominated the game in terms of possession but failed to break through their rivals' compact defence.
Hazem, who seemed comfortable in defence, lacked the pace of a natural winger capable of running down the flank and feeding his attackers with crosses.
Ahly had the first sight of goal when Walid Soliman dribbled in the area – but his shot narrowly missed the target midway through the first half.
Five minutes later striker Amr Gamal ghosted in the area and dribbled past the on-rushing keeper, but his cross found no one to put it into the back of the net.
On the other side, Menoufy came close to scoring when a blocked shot fell into his path inside the box but he blasted it over the bar.
An exciting half
The game improved after the interval as both teams took many risks upfront to end the stalemate.
Ahly took a more offensive approach as coach Garrido switched to a 4-2-3-1 then a 4-2-2-2 formation, bringing in attackers Mohamed Farouk and Emad Meteb.
Soliman missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring early in the second half as he brilliantly eliminated the last defender, but his right-foot volley went directly into the hands of the keeper.
Meteb, Soliman, Farouk and Gamal pulled some efforts but lacked the efficiency to capitalise.
The Red Devils' rush towards the opposite half left a lot of empty spaces at the back that were exploited by Ragaa players who created a real threat on counters.
The drama started in the last quarter when Menoufy fired a 25-yard rocket that beat helpless goalie Sherif Ekramy.
Three minutes later Meteb restored parity as he was left unmarked in the area to match a well placed header from a fine cross from left-back Sabri Rahil.
Ahly maintained their high pressing game and it seemed only a matter of time before they would grab the winner.
Ragaa goalkeeper Mohamed Fathy made a heroic save in stoppage time to deny Gamal's close range header.
He immediately unleashed the counter that ended up in the feet of substitute Tarek Salem, who came to a one-on-one with Ekramy and beat him easily from inside the box.
Ragaa, who barely escaped relegation last season, are now on top of the Egyptian table with nine points after four games.
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