Ahli maintained their winning-streak with a new 2-0 victory over Aluminum in the Egyptian league round-18 match that took place on Friday that saw them regain their lead. Emad El-Nahas opened the score for Ahli in the 35th minute from a spot-kick before Mohamed Abou-Treika secured his side's victory in the 72nd minute. Ahli jumped to first place in the Egyptian league standings with a tally of 41 points, while Aluminum maintained their second-from-bottom place with 14 points. Both teams gave a mediocre performance in the match, even though Ahli controlled the run of the game throughout the match. Meanwhile, Aluminum were obviously affected by their supporters' chants against them in favor of Ahli. Ahli tried to secure the victory with an early goals, but squandered a host of opportunities until the game's referee awarded Ahli a spot-kick in the 35th minute after Emad Meteb fell into the area following a tough tackle by Aluminum defenders Ahmed Hassan and Hani Barakat.
The match witnessed a nerve-wrecking 62nd minute when Aluminum were awarded a penalty-shot after Ahli goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari pulled striker Abdul-Hakim Abou-Fadl. Aluminum's Osama Ezz El-Din scored from the spot-kick before the referee cancelled it after players invaded the area during the shoot. Former Zamalek player Hossam Zeinhom squandered the re-play after firing the ball onto the crowds and failing to grab an equalizer. Abou-Treika secured Ahli's victory after finishing a Flavio Amado cross straight into the Aluminum net in the 72nd minute. Ahli's Amr Samaka was also fielded in the second-half after recuperating from an injury only to exit minutes later with groin-muscle cramp.
