Defending champions Ahli secured their third successive Egyptian League win following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ittihad in Alexandria. Star playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika broke the deadlock in the first-half. Substitute Osama Hosni, who recently revealed that he is on the verge of extending his Ahli deal, extended the gap shortly after the restart. Ittihad pulled one back through an own goal from Ahli skipper Shadi Mohamed but Ahli hung on to their lead to claim all three points. It was a morale-boosting win for the Red Devils, who face Cameroon's Coton Sport in the Champions League final first-leg next Sunday. The victory put Ahli in sixth place of the league table with 13 points but the five-time African champions still have three games in hand. Ittihad, who suffered their second consecutive loss following their midweek stumble against Harras Al-Hodoud, are seventh with the same amount. Ahli Domination Ahli coach Manuel Jose rested mercurial midfielder Mohamed Barakat to keep him fresh for the Champions League clash against Coton Sport. Left-back Sayed Moawad deputized for the injured Gilberto, while rejuvenated striker Ahmed Belal partnered Flavio Amado upfront.
Ahli dominated possession in the early stages of the game but the players' sluggish moves saw them failing to test Ittihad keeper Al-Hani Soliman. But a defensive lapse from Ittihad's backline gifted Ahli the opener in the 32nd minute. Right-back Ahmed Sedik, who was given a rare starting berth, whipped in a pinpoint cross to Abou-Treika, who rose unmarked to head the ball neatly into the top corner. Despite falling behind, Ittihad did not exert lots of efforts to claim the equalizer. They were outplayed by a disciplined Ahli side. Hosni, who replaced Flavio in the second half, deservedly doubled Ahli's advantage four minutes after the break. A long ball accidently bounced off Ahmed Bakri's head and went into the path of Hosni, who slotted home with aplomb from inside the area. Belal almost added a third in the 59th minute but he was unlucky to see his low drive cannon off the woodwork. Ittihad revived their hopes through an unlikely goal seven minutes past the hour mark. Ahmed Adel's low cross eluded Ahli keeper Amir Abdul-Hamid and Mohamed diverted it into his own net instead of clearing the danger. Ittihad pushed forward afterwards, seeking to complete a remarkable comeback but their efforts did not really trouble Ahli's defense. Watch the match's goals
