Ahli have continued their bid towards a second successive domestic double after booking their place in the Egyptian Cup final following an easy 2-0 home win over Ismaili on Thursday. Skipper Shadi Mohamed successfully converted a penalty early in the first-half before playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika sealed the victory five minutes after the interval. The Egyptian champions will face arch-rivals Zamalek in the competition's final on Monday, in a repeat of the 2006 final which Ahli won 3-0. Ahli boss Manuel Jose played with an unfamiliar 4-4-2 formation and switched the roles of several players. Mohamed Barakat played as a left-back, natural central defender Shadi moved to the right flank and Amir Abdul-Hamid stood between the sticks instead of regular keeper Essam Al-Hadari. Ahli's new shape was productive in the first-half as the Red Devils had a complete domination over Ismaili, who lacked their usual rhythm and silky passes. Swiss referee Massimo Busacca pointed to the spot after six minutes when Ismaili defender Hani Saied obstructed Emad Meteb after he was tricked by a smart move from the Egypt international striker. Penalty specialist Shadi stepped-up to send Mohamed Fathi the wrong way and grab the opener.
Ahli continued their domination in terms of possession but neither side was able to mount serious threats except in very few occasions. In the 23rd minute, Meteb once again got the better of Saied and went through on goal from the left but Fathi's interception was successful as he cleared the ball away with his legs. One minute later, Barakat burst into the penalty area and cut inside before drilling a low shot that hit the post. Ismaili's only dangerous opportunity came in the first-half's additional time when Saied's chip beat the offside trap and picked out Omar Gamal, whose poor first-time effort was easily collected by Abdul-Hamid. Unmarked Abou-Treika doubled the lead five minutes after re-start when he received Islam Al-Shater's pinpoint cross with a simple touch that went between Fathi's legs and into the net. Ismaili boss Patrice Neveu introduced striker Mohamed Fadl, who has just returned from injury, instead of Mohamed Mohsen Abou-Greisha. However, the substitution did not make the expected impact as Ismaili's efforts were tamed and the Dervishes couldn't bother Abdul-Hamid. Jose seemed to be content with the result afterwards as he began to substitute the players who risk missing the final against Zamalek in case they receive a yellow card.
