Mohamed Fadl scored twice against his former club as Ismaili handed Ahli their first defeat in the Egyptian League since May 2004 following a 3-0 victory at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday. Abdullah Al-Saied opened the score line early in the first-half before Fadl doubled the lead just before the interval. Fadl ensured the victory seven minutes from time to help Ismaili narrow the gap on the Egyptian League holders. Ahli's last defeat was against arch-rivals Zamalek when they lost 2-1 on the 15th of May in 2004. It was also Ismaili's first league win over Ahli in Cairo in 15 years. Ahli and Egypt playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika fell unconscious in the 78th minute after a strong challenge from Ismaili's Ahmed Fathi. He was awakened moments later but couldn't continue the match, leaving Ahli with 10 men on the field in the last ten minutes as manager Manuel Jose has already made his three substitutions. Ismaili revived their hopes in the league title race as the victory placed them in second place of the table with 35 points, six behind leaders and defending champions Ahli. Jose started the game with Flavio Amado as a lone striker, supported by Abou-Treika from the midfield and opted to play with a defensive-minded midfield. Hassan Mostafa and Hossam Ashour played in the heart of the midfield accompanied by Mohamed Sedik, who usually plays as a central defender. The unfamiliar starting line-up for Ahli resulted in Abou-Treika and Flavio being isolated up front, with no support from the midfield or the flanks.
Ismaili stunned the home crowd after nine minutes after they capitalized on terrible defending by Ahli players. Left-back Sayed Moawad was released by Omar Gamal's neat through pass in the left-flank before providing a low-cross to the unmarked Al-Saied, who hammered a shot over the heads of Ahli players who were centered on the goal line. Four minutes later, Moawad hit a long-range drive that went just over the bar. Ismaili continued their domination after grabbing the opener while Ahli failed to impose any threat on keeper Mohamed Sobhi. In the 37th minute, Jose introduced striker Emad Meteb instead of left-back Ahmed Shedid in a bid for the equalizer. Ahli's woes widened after defender Ahmed Al-Sayed was injured and had to be replaced by winger Tarek Al-Saied. Fadl put Ismaili two up just before the interval after connecting with a low cross from Gamal to poke home past Essam Al-Hadari from close range. It was no different in the second period as Ismaili launched several raids on the African champion's net, squandering more than one opportunity. In the 58th minute, Gamal latched on to Moatassem Salem's through pass and went face-to-face with Al-Hadari, who blocked his effort. Osama Hosni replaced Flavio four minutes past the hour mark but the substitution was ineffective as Ahli failed in their attempts to pull one back. Fadl completed the rout in the 83rd minute when he was released in a one-on-one situation by Mohamed Soliman's pass before slotting past the advancing Al-Hadari.
