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Ahly strike late derby equalizer to close on league title Ahly strike late to hold Zamalek to a 2-2 draw in Wednesday's Cairo derby and edge closer to the Egyptian Premier League title
A late goal by Dominique Da Silva earned Ahly a 2-2 draw with Zamalek in Wendesday's Cairo derby as the Red Devils edged closer to a seventh consecutive Egyptian Premier League title. The Mauritania forward, who came on as a second-half substitute, fired a low shot home seven minutes from time as Ahly came from behind twice to draw with Zamalek for the fifth successive league derby. A touchline confrontation between Ahly coach Manuel Jose and his Zamalek counterpart Hossam Hassan erupted following the goal and an on-field melee between players from both sides followed. The players also engaged in an ugly scuffle on their way to the dressing room following the final whistle as the game's calm atmosphere turned sour. Television cameras also caught Zamalek's angry supporters hurling stones on buses outside Cairo Stadium. Zamalek took an early lead, thanks to an own goal from Ahly defender Sherif Abdel-Fadil. Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo' brought Ahly level on 19 minutes but Hussein Yasser restored Zamalek's advantage eight minutes later in an exciting first half. The White Knights paid for their second-half cautiousness as Dominique struck late following a poor defensive clearance to send Ahly fans into raptures. Ahly finished with ten men after midfielder Hossam Ashour was given a straight red card for elbowing an opponent deep in stoppage time. Leaders Ahly maintained their five-point advantage over second-placed Zamalek, whose hopes to end a seven-year league drought are now in tatters, with three matches remaining. Decision backfired Ahly coach Manuel Jose surprisingly deployed natural right-back Ahmed Fathi, who is known for being a resolute defender, on the left to stop the threat of Zamalek's winger Mahmoud Abdel-Razek ‘Shikabala'. But the Portuguese tactician's decision backfired, as Shikabala played behind lone striker Gaafar instead of roaming on the wing while winger Yasser exposed the gaps in Ahly's right-flank, which was occupied by attack-minded midfielder Mohamed Barakat. Zamalek opened the scoring after six minutes when Gaafar ran onto Yasser's threaded pass before lifting the ball over advancing keeper Ahmed Adel from a tight angle. Abdel-Fadil tried to clear the danger but could only turn the ball into his own net. They could have doubled their advantage on 17 minutes but central defender Amr El-Safty headed wide with the goal at his mercy following a corner. However, Ahly equalized against the run of play two minutes later when a cross from the lively Barakat found the unmarked Gedo, who made the most of a mis-timed jump by Zamalek keeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed to send a free header into the back of the net. Zamalek, who still had the upper hand in terms of possession, restored their lead in the 27th minute in controversial fashion. Shikabala, who was surrounded by several defenders, picked out Yasser with a deft pass to break clear and send a delicate lob into the net. Television replays showed that the Qatari international was in an offside position. Zamalek cautiousness Ahly manager Jose introduced Dominique, veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan and Algerian playmaker Amir Sayoud to inject zeal and increase the team's attacking options as the six-time African champions piled on pressure after the interval. Zamalek, on the other hand, defended in numbers to maintain their slender advantage, with Hassan replacing Gaafar and Shikabala in favor of a more cautious approach. Ahly gained the upper hand, laying siege to Zamalek's area and squandering a golden opportunity to level the score in the 76th minute when Hassan and Gedo failed to find the net with the goal gaping after a goal-mouth scramble. But Ahly's efforts eventually paid dividends when Fathallah's headed clearance fell to Dominique, whose powerful low shot went underneath keeper El-Sayed and into the net from the edge of the area. A furious Hassan confronted Jose on the touchline after Ahly declined to stop play in the build-up when Zamalek midfielder Ashour El-Adham was lying on the ground.
