Substitute Osama Hosni notched a brace to help holders Ahli come from behind twice and earn a 3-2 home win over Ghazl Mahalla in a thrilling Egyptian League encounter on Saturday. Ahmed Hassan put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute but his strike was cancelled out by Mohamed Barakat's goal just before the interval. An own goal by Rami Adel restored Mahalla's lead six minutes after re-start but Hosni, who was Ahli's hero in their Egyptian Cup triumph last season, re-equalized just one minute later. He wrapped up the win 14 minutes from time to give Ahli their first victory of the new season. Ahli, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Masri in the league opener, have four points while Mahalla have just three after beating ENPPI in their previous encounter. Hassan stunned the home crowd in the 20th minute when he towered above his marker Shadi Mohamed to head home past Essam Al-Hadari after connecting with Mohsen Hendawi's cross. Ahli had the first chance five minutes later when Shadi's low shot was poorly blocked by Nasser Farouk but none of the Red Devils' players capitalized.
Portuguese boss Manuel Jose introduced striker Hosni instead of Ahli skipper Shadi to mount pressure on Mahalla and level the score. Hosni could have made an immediate impact when he was released by Emad Meteb's deft pass three minutes before the break but his weak shot was easily saved by Farouk. Energetic midfielder Barakat scored the equalizer in the first-half's additional time after he controlled Meteb's cross at the far post before squeezing a low shot beneath Farouk's hands and into the net. Ahli defender Adel, who was recalled after a loan spell with Arab Contractors last season, converted Mohamed Abdul-Shafi's poor shot into his own net in a comic way as Mahalla regained their lead. However, super substitute Hosni needed just one minute to level the score as he directed Hossam Ashour's cross from the right into the net past the helpless Farouk. Mahalla were aiming to snatch a precious draw but their hopes suffered a blow when Emad Othman was sent-off in the 71st minute for a second bookable offense. Hosni sealed the win for Ahli in the 76th minute after he rose above Mahalla defense to connect with Gilberto's corner and power a superb header into the roof of the net.
