Irresistible Ahly continued their steady climb up the table after overcoming another of their challengers on top of the Egyptian Premier League table, beating foes Masry 2-0 at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium on Tuesday. Moroccan striker Walid Azaro, who is often criticised for wasting easy chances, made up for a glaring miss when he headed home in the first half for his fourth league goal in seven matches. Substitute Walid Soliman scored with his first kick with 20 minutes remaining to wrap up another win for a dominant Ahly side, who look well equipped to claim a third consecutive league title. Ahly, who drew once in their opening seven matches, recorded their sixth win in a row to extend their unbeaten league run to 48 matches. The last time they lost was in May, 2016 when they slumped to a last-gasp 1-0 defeat by Wadi Degla. The Red Devils moved into third spot in the table with 19 points, four behind leaders Ismaily who played three matches more. Masry are second on 22 points from 11 games. The first-half was largely a physical battle but Ahly had the upper hand in terms of goal-scoring chances, with their intricate passing moves in the final third causing constant menace to Masry's defence. Ahly's first chance fell to winger Moemen Zakareya, who earned some space for himself before hitting a right-foot shot that forced a fine save from Masry keeper Ahmed Busca. Azaro missed a sitter in the 33rd minute when he miscued his shot from close range following a superb back-heel pass from playmaker Abdallah El-Said but made amends moments later to put Ahly in front. A cross from left-back Sabri Rahil found central defender Ayman Ashraf, who flicked the ball into the path of Azaro to send home a header that took a slight deflection off a defender. The 22-year-old could have scored his second of the night early in the second half but could only shoot straight at the keeper in a one-on-one situation after being released by a deft pass from El-Said after the Masry defence gave away possession. Masry then pushed forward to equalize and finally managed to mount some threats but Ahly keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi, making a second straight start at the expense of regular guardian Sherif Ekramy, was on alert to thwart their efforts. On the hour mark, El-Shennawi pulled off a superb save to block a glancing header from forward Ahmed Gomaa for Masry's best chance of an otherwise disappointing game. Ahly killed off their hopes in the 70th minute though, Soliman chesting a floated cross from El-Said before holding off his marker and volleying in off the post with his left foot. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
