Two second-half goals from Ahmed Fathi and Emad Meteb were enough to help Egyptian League leaders Ahli claim a comfortable 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Zamalek on Friday. Fathi capped an impressive week after breaking the deadlock seven minutes past the hour mark, having opened his Ahli account in the 4-1 midweek victory over Arab Contractors. Meteb continued his habit of scoring against Zamalek to break his goalscoring duck. Prior to the Cairo derby, the striker's last goal came against Aluminum in December. He ensured the victory in the 73rd minute after capitalizing on a dreadful error by Zamalek defender Beshir Al-Tabie. Ahli are flying high on the top of the league table with 54 points, a massive 18 ahead of second-placed Petrojet. They are on the verge of claiming a fourth successive title. Zamalek lie fifth on 34 points. They aim to finish second in order to book a Champions League spot. Neither Ahli nor Zamalek managed to break the deadlock in an uninspiring first-half. Ahli dominated possession in the first ten minutes but never tested Zamalek keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monssif. Zamalek's first sight of goal came in the 21st minute when Mohamed Aboul-Ella released Amr Zaki with a delicate chip. The combative striker received the ball with a first-timer but his effort flew high over the crossbar. Four minutes later, Zamalek midfielder Ahmed Abdul-Raouf tried his luck from 25 yards but his shot was palmed away by Ahli keeper Amir Abdul-Hamid.
Ahli's first real opportunity came in the 36th minute. Gilberto did some neat work down the left flank before providing a pinpoint cross to Meteb. Meteb cut ahead of Mahmoud Fathallah to flick the ball just over the bar. Mostafa Gaafar should have put Zamalek in front nine minutes before the break but he horribly missed the target from six yards. A loose ball slipped into his path, but his mis-hit shot went poorly wide of the target, to the shock of everyone. Zamalek coach Ruud Krol introduced talented winger Shikabala in the second-half instead of Mohamed Abdullah. He made an impact shortly after when he released Gamal Hamza with a deft long ball. Hamza went clear on goal but he needlessly dived to earn a penalty but Italian referee Stefano Farina waved away his claims. The forward was also booked. Zamalek were made to pay for Hamza's theatrical actions in the 67th minute when Fathi put Ahli ahead. Flavio's deflected shot went into the path of the unmarked Fathi, who chipped over the advancing Abdul-Monsef. Meteb ensured the victory six minutes later after taking advantage of a howler from combative defender Al-Tabie. Al-Tabie's poor back-headed pass was intercepted by Meteb, who made no mistake from close range.
