Ahli's four-match winning run came to an end after a 1-1 draw with Arab Contractors on Wednesday, reviving the hopes of second-placed Zamalek to launch a late assault on the Egyptian Premier League title. Contractors opened the scoring early in the game when striker Ehab Al-Masri struck home at the second attempt after making the most of a defensive blunder. An own goal by Nigerian defender Shamusideen Tijani shortly after gave Ahli the equalizer. The Cairo giants, seeking to move a step closer to a sixth consecutive league triumph, failed in their attempts to extend their winning streak, few days after reaching the Champions League round of 16 after defeating Zimbabwe's Gunners 2-1 on aggregate. They are still on top of the table with 53 points and a game in hand, six matches before the end. However, Zamalek, who last won the league title in 2004, could close to within four points of their arch-rivals if they beat Police Union later in the day. Struggling side Contractors remain third from bottom with 26 points, one adrift of safety. Ahli's attacking midfielders Mohamed Barakat, Mohamed Abou-Treika and Ahmed Shokri were assigned the responsibility for feeding lone striker Emad Meteb. But they lacked pace and creativity, appearing jaded and unable to move the ball smoothly on a muddy pitch, which made life difficult for both sides. Contractors had the better of the opening exchanges and managed to take a surprise lead after 12 minutes. Al-Masri, back in action after a long injury lay-off, capitalized on some sloppy defending from Ahli's right back Ahmed Ali to connect with a pinpoint cross and head goalwards. Keeper Ahmed Adel should have done better than pushing the ball it into Al-Masri's path, leaving him with a simple tap-in.
Meteb failed to sparkle Ahli still struggled to threaten the hosts after falling behind but were gifted the equalizer by Contractors defender Tijani on 19 minutes. Ali, hoping to make up for his blunder, skipped past a challenger down the right and sent in a low cross that evaded Contractors keeper Mohamed Al-Akabawi. Tijani, under no pressure, astonishingly converted the ball into his own net rather than clearing it away. Dull Half Ahli could not find solutions to break down Contractors, who were determined to maintain what could turn out to be a precious draw in their bid to avoid relegation, in a dull second half. Coach Hossam Al-Badri replaced Abou-Treika, who is yet to regain top form after recovering from a serious foot injury in January, with veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan. The tactical move was not fruitful though as Hassan failed to combine with fellow attacking midfielders and the out-of-sorts Meteb. Ahli's only goalscoring opportunity fell to combative defender Wael Gomaa, one of the team's most consistent performers, four minutes past the hour mark. He was found unmarked at the far post by a free kick from Barakat but headed poorly across the six-yard box. Contractors' counter-attacks could have given them a valuable victory, with right-back Basem Ali taking advantage of one of them to break clear of defense but his shot went wide of the post. Striker Mohamed Fadl replaced the ineffective Meteb late in the game but did not have time to make an impact as Contractors held on to share honors with Ahli.
