Egyptian Premier League newly-promoted side Smouha surrendered their lead twice to draw 2-2 at home to Harras Hodoud in their first game under French manager Patrice Neveu. Neveu, who replaced Mohsen Saleh after the latter resigned following Smouha's 1-0 defeat by Military Production in their maiden league appearance, was on the brink of helping the Alexandrian club claim their first ever win in the top flight. Hamada Tolba gave Smouha the lead after 14 minutes with a long-drive that keeper Ali Farag fumbled into his own net. Hodoud and Egypt forward Ahmed Eid leveled the score in the 35th minute when he chested down a long pass on the edge of the area and beat the keeper at his near post with a right-footed volley. His celebrations were short-lived though as he was sent off on 68 minutes after picking up a second yellow card. The red card could have proved costly when Smouha's right-back Mohsen Hendawi converted a penalty with five minutes remaining. However, a deflected shot by striker Ahmed Mekki, who earned an Egypt call-up recently, one minute later helped Hodoud secure a share of spoils for their second successive draw. "I was satisfied today when I saw the reaction of my players following the draw," Frenchman Neveu, who also managed Ismaili in Egypt, said after the game. "They were disappointed to lose two points. This is the spirit I need my players to have." "There were some mistakes and minor problems in our game but we will improve in the coming matches."
