Ahli assistant coach Alaa Maihoub said that conceding an early strike was a major reason behind his team's loss to Harras Hodoud in the Egyptian Super Cup. Goals in each half through Ahmed Mekki and Ahmed Abdul-Ghani saw Ahli fail to defend their Super Cup title. The game also witnessed the dismissal of skipper Ahmed Al-Sayed for elbowing Abdul-Ghani late in the first-half. "The early goal and the red card changed the plans we had for the game," Maihoub said after the clash. "We were also unlucky not to convert some of the early chances we had." The former Egypt striker added that his team need more time before his players can digest the team's new system and style of play. Maihoub was promoted to assistant after Hossam Al-Badri was appointed as Manuel Jose's successor.
