CAIRO – Al-Ahly snached a 2-1 victory over Police Union in the Egyptian Premier League at Military Academy Stadium Wednesday in Cairo, a win that saw the Red Devils close to within three points of leaders and arch-rivals Zamalek. Ahly's Mohamed Shawqi hit the opener as early as the fourth minute but Mohamed Al-Fayoumi leveled the score six minutes from the hour mark. Veteran Abou-Treika sealed the victory for the Cairo giants five minutes later upon hitting his 101st league strike. Ahly are now in third place with 29 points. Their city rivals Zamalek face Harras Hodoud on Thursday. Police remain in fourth place on 29 points. Although Ahly opened the scoring in the early minutes, Police piled up sustained pressure on their opponents in the first half. Shawqi broke the deadlock when he rose unopposed to head home a cross whipped in by Ahmed Fathi from the right flank. While Police sought to bring the score level, Manuel Jose's side tried to be dangerous on the counter attack. The visitors could have netted an equalizer on 20 minutes after Ahly skipper Hossam Ghaly hesitated to clear the danger. His poor reflex caused Al-Fayoumi steal the ball and try his luck on the goal, only for keeper Ahmed Adel to deny him. Ahly redeemed themselves after the break and were keen to double their advantage, but it was Police who scored. A precise curling free kick by Al-Fayoumi canceled out the hosts' slender lead. However, Police's celebration didn't last for long. Mercurial midfielder Mohamed Barakat earned a penalty kick after being felled in the area. Abou-Treika converted it to restore Ahli's superiority. Meanwhile, Ismaili failed to beat Petrojet at home for the fourth successive season as both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the same game on Wednesday. The Dervishes have defeated Petrojet only once at home since the latter team were promoted to the top-flight in 2006-2007 season. Ismaili lost to the petroleum side in Ismailia in the past three terms. Mohamed Ragab fired Petrojet upfront four minutes from the half-hour mark when he connected with an Al-Sayed Hamdi cross, with a Gamal Ali clever dummy in between. Mohamed Mohsen restored parity on 58 minutes from close range on the rebound. Title contenders Ismaili remain in second place on 30 points, two adrift of leaders Zamalek.
