Ismaili's hopes of mounting a serious challenge for the Egyptian Premier League title faded after a 2-0 defeat at in-form Masri that is likely to increase pressure on coach Mark Wotte. The Dervishes, still recovering from their Champions League group-stage exit, were hoping to win Thursday's Suez Canal derby after crushing Gaish 3-0 in their previous game. However, the new-look Masri outplayed them to emerge winners via goals from Burkina Faso striker Abdoulaye Cisse and defender Ahmed Fawzi either side of the interval. Ismaili slipped to eighth spot in the league table with 13 points from eight games, five behind leaders Zamalek. Masri, who spent big in the close season to bolster their squad, moved up to second on 16 points, having played two games more than Ismaili. "Our opponents deserved to win tonight, they completely controlled the tempo," Ismaili's Dutch coach Wotte, who is under fire due to the team's inconsistent displays, told the post-match news conference. "We were unlucky with the injuries that hit the team. We had to take off (playmaker) Abdullah Saied and (striker) Mohamed Mohsen Abou-Greisha after they picked up injuries. "We have to focus on our next games because we will play tough opponents such as Ahli and Zamalek." Cisse gave Masri the lead three minutes before the break when he rose above his marker Moatasem Salem to meet a corner with a powerful header that went past Ismaili keeper Mohamed Sobhi. Fawzi doubled their advantage in the 65th minute after superb individual work from skilful playmaker Mahmoud Abdul-Hakim. Abdul-Hakim bamboozled Ibrahim Yehia in the left hand side of the penalty area before pulling the ball back to Fawzi for an easy tap in. Ismaili wasted a chance to reduce the arrears when they were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute after Ahmed Samir Farag's effort was blocked by Masri keeper Amir Abdul-Hamid.
