Neither Ahli nor Zamalek managed to find the net in a lively Cairo derby as the first-half ended goalless at Military Academy Stadium. Zamalek, who played without a natural playmaker, relied on the pacey runs of wingers Hazem Emam and Sabri Rahil. The menace of Zamalek's diminutive right-back Emam in particular caused Ahli defense all sorts of problems. The 20-year-old could have given the White Knights a surprising lead after five minutes. He darted down the right flank, superbly tricked three challengers but his shot from a tight angle was blocked by Ahli's Palestinian keeper Ramzi Saleh. Ahli responded after 11 minutes and were unlucky not to break the deadlock. Flavio's flicked header found Mohamed Abou-Treika inside the area and the classy playmaker drilled a low shot that struck the post. Another surge by Emam unsettled Ahli's defense on 26 minutes as he stole possession near the byline after capitalizing on Gilberto's hesitation to clear the danger. Emam then pulled the ball back to midfielder Hani Saied, whose mis-hit kick prevented Zamalek from taking the lead. An altercation between Emam and Ahli's veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan marked the end of an interesting first period.
