Hussein El Shahat scored a goal and set up two others as Ahly beat Masry 4-2 on Friday. The 29-year old winger scored in the 45th minute and set up Taher Mohamed Taher, 35, and Mahmoud Kahraba (80) in both halves. Salah Mohsen had opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Departing forward Omar Kamal and Ahmed Refaat scored Masry's goals. Despite the convincing victory but that won't them any closer to the title as leaders Zamalek beat Ceramica Cleopatra 2-1. The Whites have 76 points four above of defending champions Ahly with two games remaining in this campaign. The Red Devils got off to a blistering start with Salah Mohsen, Mohamed "Afsha" Magdi and El Shahat missing clear cut chances inside the five minutes. Ahly seemed rewarded for their early pressure in the ninth minute when Mohsen rose above his marker to meet a precise cross from Ali Maaloul to power a header into the net. Masry regained their composure after that early goal and began to dominate the game. They had their first sight of goal in the 20th minute when Kamal forced keeper Mohamed El Shennawi to stretch and deny him with the tips of his fingers. He got it right in the 29th minute when he skipped past Maaloul to fire the equalizer at the top corner. Ahly were back on the front foot and El Shahat's cross found Taher at the far post to restore their lead in the 35th minute. That was only for seven minutes as Ahmed Refaat leveled the score again after converting a penalty kick following a VAR Check. Seconds before the break, El Shahat ghosted past two defenders to score Ahly's third goal from a very tight angle as a reward for his remarkable first half display. After an entertaining first half, both sides adopted a more cautious approach after the interval. Masry gained possession while Ahly were dangerous in the counters. El-Shahat had a golden opportunity to extend Ahly's lead after being sent clear by Afsha but his poor finish was easily saved by Masry's keeper. In the 80th minute second half substitute Kahrab put the game beyond doubt after being set up by El-Shahat with the goal at his mercy. Ahly will pay Gouna on Tuesday and will finish off their campaign against Aswan on Friday. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
