Ahli labored to a 2-0 victory over Harras Al-Hodoud on Thursday to open up a 14-point gap on top of the Egyptian League. Captain Shady Mohamed headed in the opener in the 67th minute and Mohamed Barakat sealed the win seven minutes from time. The 15th victory of the season raised Ahli's tally to 48 points, with second-placed Al-Gaish having 34 points. Despite failing to impress, Ahli internationals deployed their experience to down the energetic Hodoud side. Barakat played as an attacking midfielder to cover the absence of injured Mohamed Abou-Treika. He pulled the strings in the first-half but Ahli failed to break the deadlock, with Emad Meteb forcing a fine save from Al-Hodoud keeper Kameni Mathurin. Full-back Ahmed Sedik cleared a double attempt of the goal line after restart and Ahli hit hard after feeling the danger. Shady broke free with the ball, passed to Sedik on the right before bursting into the box to meet the cross. He connected with the ball and sent a powerful header into the far corner of the net. In the 83rd minute, Barakat killed the game off with a superb first-timer from outside the area despite a full-stretch dive from Mathurin.
