Ahli equaled their record of consecutive league victories and try to break it today in Mehalla, writes Mohamed El-Sayed It becomes clearer by the week: Ahli are heading inexorably towards their 31st football league trophy. Topping the table with a perfect 36 points from 12 consecutive wins, the Red Devils are now a dozen points ahead of second-of-the-table arch rivals Zamalek. So great is the lead at present that many of the club's vast number of supporters feel that all the squad must do from now till the season ends is just go through the motions, so secure are they in their belief that the championship is locked up. Meanwhile, as they while away the time, Ahli fans eye something else -- the Egyptian record for most successive league victories. Sunday's win against Ismaili gave Ahli 12 straight wins, equalling the record they set in 2003 even though they lost the title that year to Zamalek. Today Ahli get the chance to break the record when they meet Ghazl Al- Mehalla. The incentive to win will be strong for Ahli who not only would like to set a new record but also avenge their ouster from Egypt Cup in the last-16 stage two weeks ago by the same Mehalla squad. On Sunday night at the Military Academy Stadium, Ahli equaled the record of victories and widened the gap they have over second-placed Zamalek after they edged Ismaili, the usual third place challengers for the championship, 1-0. The game, normally a must-see encounter because of the first-class football both teams display, was not the best the clubs have to offer and, if anything, epitomised the drawbacks of Egyptian football -- slow in preparing and finishing attacks and fatal defensive blunders. The first half saw both teams exchanging attacks but none of them managed to score, thanks to some stalwart goalkeeping by Ismaili's rookie Mohamed Fathi and the inexperience of his fellow strikers. Ahli's midfielder Mohamed Shawqi managed to fire his team ahead in the first minute of the second half after a follow-up from a header by Emad Mit'eb. Following the goal, Ahli stuck to defence till the end, leaving the visitors with the ball most of the time but unable to penetrate much farther than the penalty area. Much of Ahli's rigidity in the back came after their Portuguese head coach Manuel Jose ordered his two wingers not to advance and introduced defender Mahmoud Shiko instead of an attacker, making it extremely difficult for the visitors to even equalise. The delicious through passes provided by Ahli's ever energetic playmaker Mohamed Abu Treika, and the give-and-gos of the Dervishes were the only enjoyment in the otherwise dour game that produced 12 yellow cards. Ismaili are now in fifth place with only 18 points from 12 matches. They play today in Ismailia against Cement Suez In the coastal city of Port Said, Zamalek lost out on two precious points at the hands of Misri, drawing 1-1 in a heated encounter. Ex-Zamalek player Hossam Hassan gave Misri the lead in the 32nd minute via a scorcher, before Zamalek's Tarek El-Said tied a minute later. Hassan was euphoric after he scored, considering the goal a perfect reply to Zamalek's Brazilian coach Carlos Cabral who used to keep the 39-year-old player sidelined on the bench when he was with Zamalek. Hassan and his twin Ibrahim announced two weeks ago that they intend to stay playing "for five more years, even if we end up playing for a second division team." Zamalek remain in second place with 24 points, while Misri lie sixth with 15 points. Zamalek today play Baladiyet Al-Mehalla in the Military Academy Stadium; while Misri will travel to the Upper Egyptian city of Assuit to meet Cement Assuit. In other matches, third place Enppi (20 points) were held to a goalless draw with Mansoura; Cement Suez (19 points) occupied fourth place after defeating the Coastal Guards 1-0; Army drew 1-1 with Tersana; Ittihad of Alexandria (13 points) had little problems with Cement Assiut (12 points) 3-1; and Baladiyet Al-Mehalla (11 points) drew 1-1 with their older cousins Ghazl Al-Mehalla (14 points). Other matches today will include the Coastal Guards and Tersana, Enppi vs Ittihad and the Army vs Mansoura.
