Defending champions Ahly are edging closer to their 40th Egyptian Premier League title after thrashing bottom side Nasr 5-0 on Monday. Three first half goals, including a double by Moroccan striker Walid Azaro, and two others in the second granted the Reds their 12th successive league victory. Ahly ensured their leadership of the League table with 66 points; extending the gap with second-placed Ismaily to 20 points. The loss left Nasr battling in the bottom of the relegation zone with just 14 points. Ahly imposed an attacking strategy since the early start amid tightened defence from the toothless opponents. In-from striker Walid Azaro was lucky enough to give Ahly an early lead after scoring the opener from a penalty in the 16th minute following a foul on winger Ahmed Hamoudi. Ahly's dominance continued as in-form Hamoudi sent a neat cross behind the defenders for Azaro who chipped the ball passed the keeper on minute 33 to net his 16 league-goals this season. Nasr players tried to restore the balance on different occasions but couldn't just create any threat against their dominant hosts. Just two minutes ahead of the break, defender Mohamed Hani scored the third goal after making a perfect follow up for rejected free kick from teammate Ali Maaloul. Nasr's woes continued just four minutes from the second half start as new signing Salah Mohsen added the fourth from close range following a blunder by a defender and the keeper. Shortly after the hour mark, Ahly's veteran midfielder and skipper Hossam Ghaly appeared for the first time since rejoining the team this winter from Saudi Side Al-Nasr. Despite the heavy result, Nasr players kept fighting to prove their worth in the remaining minutes, while Ahly, who lost some energy, had few trials to score but in vain. Ahly's Midfielder Karim Nedved surprisingly scored the fifth goal in stoppage time from inside the box to complete thr rout. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
