Ismaili missed out on playing in the CAF Champions League next season despite securing a 1-0 home win over champions Ahli in the Egyptian League on Friday. Striker Mohamed Fadl headed home ten minutes from time to lead Ismaili to their second win in the season over Ahli, but it wasn't enough to give them a place in Africa's premier competition. Ismaili needed a Zamalek slip-up but the Cairo giants crushed Port Said-based club Masri 3-0 to finish second in the league table with 68 points, one ahead of the Dervishes who will play in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. Ahli assistant boss Hossam Al-Badri fielded a second-string line-up as expected as eight regular players were rested after a long and tiring season. Abdullah Saied should have put the hosts in front after three minutes when he was released clear on goal by Abdullah Al-Shahat's neat pass but Ahli goalkeeper Amir Abdul-Hamid rushed to brilliantly block his effort. One minute later, Ahmed Samir Farag's shot from a tight angle was blocked by the in-form Abdul-Hamid, who deputized for rested guardian Essam Al-Hadari. Ahli's first chance came in the sixth minute when striker Ahmed Belal tried to lob Ismaili keeper Mohamed Fathi from 20 meters but his effort went over the bar. A superb individual effort by Ismaili's talented midfielder Omar Gamal three minutes later almost put Ismaili ahead.
He controlled Sayed Moawad's throw-in, flicked the ball over Hossam Ashour and fired a powerful right-footed bullet that was denied by the bar. Ahli then recovered from the lackluster start, dominating possession and trying to push forward in a bid to score a stunning opener. In the first-half's additional time, Belal moved down the left flank before providing a low cross to Abdul-Hamid Hassan, who controlled the ball and turned around but his tamed shot was easily collected by Fathi. Ahli had to thank Abdul-Hamid for keeping the score goalless for large period of the second-half after pulling off a string of fine saves. He denied Hosni Abd-Rabou's powerful shots on three occasions but was unable to stop Fadl from breaking the deadlock in the 80th minute. Gamal sidestepped Ahmed Shedid in the left before whipping in a cross for Fadl who towered above Ahmed Adel to head home. Ismaili left-back Moawad was sent-off five minutes from time following an ugly altercation with Ahli's Ahmed Sedik.
