A second-half header from substitute Al-Sayed Hamdi helped Petrojet claim a crucial 1-0 victory over Ismaili in a rescheduled Egyptian Premier League match on Monday. The result put an end to Petrojet's four-match winless streak as the Suez club are back in contention for the title challenge with Ahli, ENPPI and Ismaili. Mokhtar Mokhtar's side leapfrogged Ismaili to third place with 39 points, leveling with ENPPI and trailing leaders Ahli by three. The Dervishes are fourth with 38. Following his side's recent stumbles, Petrojet coach Mokhtar made some changes to the starting line-up, keeping Osama Mohamed and Hamdi on the bench. A cagey start from both sides saw little action inside the opening half-hour, even though the visitors looked more effective in the final third. Mohamed Mohsen Abou-Greisha headed inches wide of Ahmed Fawzi's left post in the 28th minute, and the latter did brilliantly to block the Ismaili striker's effort six minutes later. The Dervishes sustained their pressure as Omar Gamal unleashed a vicious shot from 25 yards before half-time, but his effort went agonizingly wide. Crucial Subs
Bekoe missed two clear chances Mokhtar brought on Mohamed and Hamdi at half-time, and the alteration seemed to be bearing its fruits early on for the home side. With a much better start to the second half, Petrojet threatened Mohamed Sobhi's goal with attempts from Eric Bekoe and Mohamed Samara. But the visitors had a chance to hit on the counter in the 18th minute when Gamal sent Mostafa Karim one-on-one with Fawzi, but the Iraqi blasted the ball over the bar, in what proved to be the best chance for Ismaili. Two minutes later, the Dervishes paid dearly for Karim's miss when influential winger Mohamed sent a trade-mark cross to fellow substitute Hamdi, who headed home with ease. Ghanaian striker Bekoe should have doubled Petrojet's lead a couple of minute later, but he made a mess of his point-blank effort, following another inch-perfect cross from Mohamed. Sobhi was forced to stop a powerful header by Karim Zekri in the 28th minute as Ismaili looked vulnerable at the back. Bekoe had another chance to put the game to bed when he was released by Samara, but the diminutive man embarrassingly missed the target, attempting a sloppy chip ball over Sobhi. Fortunately for Bekoe, Petrojet held on to their slender lead and claimed the game's full points. Watch the goal
