Ismailia erupted in ecstasy and celebrated all night after producing a 3-0 drubbing of Ahli in Cairo, handing the Egyptian and African champions their first domestic defeat in 32 months. Supporters in the coastal city, almost 120 kilometers to the east from the Egyptian capital, flooded the streets, honking their cars horns and waving yellow flags and scarves in joy. Traffic was brought to a standing still in main streets, especially around the Ismailia stadium. They chanted supporting slogans and paid tribute to striker Mohamed Fadl and caretaker manager Sabri Al-Miniawi. Former Ahli player Fadl netted the second and third goals late in both periods with delicate chips to sink the Red Devils after Abdullah Al-Saied hammered the opener in the ninth minute. Ismailia-based reporter Yasser Al-Sherif said crowds expressed their desire to appoint Al-Miniawi, who is in charge temporarily till signing a foreign coach, on a permanent basis. This was Ahli's first league defeat since losing 2-1 to arch-rivals Zamalek in May 2004.
Since then, they have extended an unprecedented 71-league-game unbeaten run. It was also Ismaili's first league victory over Ahli in Cairo since the 1991-1992 season. Hopes Revived Sunday's victory closed the gap between Ismaili and Egyptian Premier League leaders Ahli to only six points, with 14 matches to go. Fans urged the club administration, who promised big bonuses to the players and coaching staff after the big triumph, to build on this result and reinforce the team to keep the title hopes alive. Al-Sherif said that beating Ahli shifted the mainstream among fans, wishing the club would hold on to international right-back Ahmed Fathi, who is set to make a switch to the Premiership. He said that demands of landing a prolific striker are on the rife, especially after media reports linked Ismaili with a Nigerian forward believed to be playing for two-time African champions Enyimba.
