Runaway leaders Ahly claim fifth straight win at Smouha's expense

Ahly cement their position on top of the league table with a vital comeback win at plucky Smouha

Ahly came back from a goal down to record a convincing 3-1 away league win at a plucky Smouha side in Alexandria to tighten their grip on the summit.
After falling down to an exquisite Islam Mohareb overhead kick in the first half, midfielder Abdallah El-Said was there to equalise in the 36th minute before adding another goal himself from the spot after the break.
Moemen Zakareya then made sure of victory 12 minutes from time to secure an important win for Ahly in their pursuit of their ninth league triumph in 10 seasons.
The fifth straight win, which marked manager's Martin Jol's fourth consecutive victory since he took over in February, cemented Ahly's position on top of the table as they are now 14 points clear of second-placed Zamalek - who meet Haras El-Hodoud later in the day.
Off-color Ahly
Ahly did not look particularly lively in the opening stages, with Smouha doing well to prevent the ball being played into Hossam Ghaly and Hossam Ashour by pressing the midfield duo.
As a result, center-back Ahmed Hegazy had to resort to fruitless long balls into attack, a strategy that did not quite pay dividends.
Smouha, on the other side, looked more composed in midfield - managing to get the ball behind Ahly's holding duo on more than one occasion.
And it wasn't long till the hosts opened the scoring through Mohareb following a long throw-in that was eventually converted by the winger whose superb overhead kick found the far side of the net from the edge of the area.
Ahly were lucky not to concede a second just five minutes later, when league top-scorer Hossam 'Paolo' agonizingly saw his point-blank headed effort denied by the woodwork.
The Reds seemed far from fazed by Smouha's pressure, and it was the 36th minute when El-Said bagged the leveler after slotting into an empty net.
Gabon striker Malick Evouna was the one to thank this time, after managing to hold off his marker inside the area to go one-on-one with the keeper before setting up El-Said.
Ahly comeback
Ahly remained in control after the break, but it was the home side who squandered the first chance of the half when a through-on-goal 'Paolo' was thwarted by keeper Sherif Ekramy.
With Ahly wingers Zakareya and Walid Soliman not particularly at their best, it was Evouna who proved the main source of danger with his off-the-ball runs.
Shortly after wasting a one-on-one chance, Evouna managed to win a penalty after outpacing defender Mansou Kouakou - who was eventually forced to trip the pacey striker inside the area.
El-Said smashed home the ensuing penalty to give Ahly the lead against an opponent who hardly proved to be pushovers from the outset.
It wasn't the end of goals though, with the largely out-of-sorts Zakareya making it three after breaking clear and sliding home past the keeper.
Right-back Ahmed Fathi then saw a free kick brilliantly saved by keeper El-Hani Soliman eight minutes from time, as Ahly managed to overcome a resilient opponent and bag a vital three points away from home.
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