African champions Ahli celebrated their bronze medal in the Club World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Harras Al-Hodoud in the Egyptian League on Friday. Emad Meteb scored both goals as wild celebrations marked Ahli's first domestic game after returning from Japan. Despite playing on the road, Ahli fans packed Al-Hodoud's venue in Alexandria waving red scarves and flags and chanting supporting slogans before and during the game. Fireworks were lit after the second goal and thousands of fans called on Ahli manager Manuel Jose to field superstar Mohamed Abou-Treika who was rested for the Cairo derby against Zamalek on December 30th. Ahli are now in charge of the league table on 32 points, leading Ismaili with one point despite having two matches in hand. The Egyptian title holders looked comfortable from the beginning of the game, with Flavio almost breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute.
The Angolan striker was found unmarked by a cross from Ahmed Shedid but he sent a weak left-footer into the hands of the keeper. Flavio threatened again in the 25th minute when he latched on to a deft through pass but shot into the side netting. It was Meteb who opened the score line in the 38th minute when he stepped up to curl a free-kick into the top corner of the net. Meteb doubled the lead in the 68th minute, burying the ball home from the edge of the area after being set-up by Flavio's low pass. Meteb's double took his tally to nine goals, level with Flavio and one behind league top scorer and Mahalla striker Ahmed Hassan. In the 74th minute, Abdul-Rahman Farouk came close from pulling one back but his powerful effort went just wide.
