Below-par Ahly's chances of equaling their own record of winning nine straight Egyptian Premier League titles were dealt a serious blow after they failed to overcome Ismaily as a late penalty gave them a 1-1 draw with bitter rivals in the Red Sea resort of El-Gouna on Wednesday. Ismaily went ahead through an own goal from Ahly defender Saad Samir on the stroke of halftime but January arrival Moemen Zakareya converted a penalty with six minutes remaining to secure a share of spoils. But Ahly's seventh league draw of the season, which exposed their defensive frailties, cast serious doubts over their ability to win the title as Cairo rivals and leaders Zamalek look formidable this season. Zamalek will go eight points clear of second-placed ENPPI, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Ragaa, should they win their game in hand next week. Ahly are also eight points behind Zamalek, with both sides playing the same number of matches. Ahly and Ismaily also played out a 0-0 draw in the reverse league fixture in October last year. Both sides had their fair share of chances in an evenly-balanced first half on Wednesday, with Ahly keeper Sherif Ekramy thwarting Ismaily's new Ghanaian forward Emmanuel Banahene in a one-on-one situation early on. Playmaker Abdallah El-Saied squandered a couple of goal-scoring chances for Ahly, volleying against the post after being picked out unmarked by a right-wing cross before having a free header superbly blocked by a one-handed save from Essam El-Hadary, the 42-year-old keeper who was once an Ahly hero. Ahly were immediately punished for El-Saied's second miss when Ismaily opened the scoring one minute before the half-time whistle. The Red Devils' lackluster central defenders could not deal with a tame low cross, which found Ismaily midfielder Amr El-Sulaya at the back post to fire a powerful shot that struck the bar and fell at the feet of Samir, who inadvertently rolled the ball into his own net. Ahly's under-fire coach Juan Garrido energized the team in the second half by introducing attacking midfielder Mahmoud Trezeguet as Ismaily sat back to defend their slender advantage. Winger Walid Soliman met a cross with a sliding effort that narrowly missed the target on 66 minutes as Ahly laid siege to Ismaily's area. Their pressure paid dividends when Ismaily substitute Omar E-Wahsh needlessly felled Zakareya, who stepped up to convert the ensuing penalty after sending El-Hadary the wrong way. However, a mere point will do Ahly no favours in their quest to defend the title that they won the past eight seasons. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/127232.aspx
