A dreadful blunder from Masry keeper Ahmed Massoud gifted Ahly the Egyptian Super Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time win in the United Arab Emirates on Friday. Dogged Masry defending restricted Ahly to some tame efforts throughout the 90 minutes before Massoud committed an error to allow the Red Devils to snatch a win in the 101st minute. After receiving a back pass from a defender, Massoud needlessly tried to round Moroccan striker Walid Azaro, who robbed him and lashed into an empty net to send the Ahly fans into raptures at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The 26-year-old wept copiously after the final whistle and was consoled by teammates and opponents alike. Ahly could have doubled their advantage on at least three more occasions in the second half of the extra time but Azaro's goal was enough to give them a 10th Super Cup title, their fifth triumph in the last six seasons. It was also Ahly's second extra-time win over Masry in the space of five months after the Red Devils came from a goal down to score two goals at the death and win the Egypt Cup title last summer. Masry's watertight defence made life hard for Ahly in the first half, with the league and cup champions unable to carve out openings despite their territorial dominance. There were some swift Ahly exchanges down the flanks but several inviting crosses from Tunisian left-back Ali Maaloul went begging. At the other end, Masry's sole attempt came after 12 minutes when Karim El-Araqi rose unmarked after a free-kick was floated into the area but his tame header was easily collected by Ahly keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi, who has recently overtaken Sherif Ekramy as the team's first-choice goalie. The second half was no different, with Masry throwing men behind the ball and taking the voice out of the passionate crowd. Azaro found the breakthrough in the first half of extra time when he stole possession from the hesitant Massoud and substitute Zakareya squandered two clear-cut chances afterwards, firing over the crossbar when sent clear by Azaro before heading wide with the goal at his mercy following another breakaway. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
