Ittihad put an end to Ahli's five-match winning streak after holding the depleted side to a 1-1 draw in Alexandria in the Egyptian Premier League on Thursday. Mohamed Nagi 'Geddo' fired Ittihad in front 14 minutes before the break after capitalizing on a defensive lapse. In-form midfielder Ahmed Hassan, who shouldered attacking responsibilities in the absence of influential duo Mohamed Abou-Treika and Mohamed Barakat, secured a share of spoils on 59 minutes after a blunder from Ittihad keeper Al-Hani Soliman. Ahli have not lost any points since settling for a 1-1 draw with Masri in September. The league leaders and defending champions now boast a five-point lead over fierce rivals and last season's runners-up Ismaili, who narrowed the gap with a 1-0 victory over Police Union. Ittihad, who lie 11th in the table, continued their revival under new coach Carlos Cabral. They extended their unbeaten streak under the Brazilian to five games. Several Absentees Ahli had to play without several of their regular players, with Abou-Treika, Barakat, Emad Meteb and Moataz Eno ruled out with injuries.
Ittihad defenders contained Ahli forwards They also missed Liberian striker Francis Doe and combative defender Wael Gomaa through suspension. Gomaa's absence in particular proved costly as Ahli's makeshift defense repeatedly committed dreadful errors. The unmarked Geddo opened the scoring in the 31st minute when a deflected shot from fellow striker Mohamed Al-Morsi fell into his path inside the area to slot home with aplomb. Ahli, who relied on one striker in Mohamed Fadl with the support of Egypt skipper Hassan and youngster Ahmed Shokri, wasted two decent opportunities to level the score. A volley from Shokri was palmed away by Soliman while Hassan was unlucky to see a low drive go just wide of the post. Hassan reacted furiously after having a goal disallowed for offside on 39 minutes to prompt the referee to book him. He made amends 14 minutes after the restart when his low shot was fumbled by Soliman into his own net to notch his seventh goal of the season. A quiet second half saw Ahli, who eye a sixth successive league crown, fail to score a decisive winner.
