Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry has expressed delight at the team's 3-0 victory over Ittihad of Alexandria on matchday 22 of the Egyptian Premier League, describing the game as important and "tough". "Thank God, we won a tough game in very difficult circumstances as half of the team is in Saudi Arabia for a friendly," the 57-year-old told the club's official website. Football Director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz echoed El-Badry, saying, "The heavy schedule really stresses the team." Ahly had to substitute defender Ayman Ashraf and Tunisian left-back Ali Maloul during the game due to hamstring injuries. "The duo sustained hamstring injuries due to fatigue because of the strain of the tight schedule," Abdel-Hafiz added. Ahly sent half of their squad to Saudi Arabia to play a friendly against Al-Shabab, winning 1-0 on Friday, amid the retirement ceremony of famous Saudi forward Fouad Anwar. Title holders Ahly took a step closer to their 40th league trophy, leading the table with 54 points, nine more than chasers Ismaily – and they still have a game in hand.
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