Ahli could only draw 1-1 with lowly Military Production in a game that was marred by a series of controversial refereeing decisions. Hosts Production took the lead through defender Hazem Fathi in what proved to be a highly-dubious goal. Abdullah Al-Saied leveled with a trade-mark freekick as referee Medhat Al-Houfi sent two Production players off, including the keeper, in the final 15 minutes. It is an impressive start for new Production manager Mohamed Helmi, with the military side only claiming their second point in seven previous meetings with Ahli. Ahli missed out on moving top as they remained second behind leaders Harras Hodoud, while Production are third from bottom. Controversial opener Production, who haven't won in seven matches, found themselves in front against the unbeaten Ahli after 16 minutes thanks to a dubious strike by center-half Fathi. A cross from the right found an unmarked Kwabena Yaro, who coolly set up Fathi to apply an easy header past Ekrami, but television replays showed that the Production striker was offside in the first place. The equalizer came through Ahli's new goalscoring weapon; Egypt's number one freekick specialist Al-Saied, who left goalkeeper Nader Saad watching the ball rolling into his net. No keeper! Manuel Jose introduced Fabio Junior at half time and the Brazilian could have scored a hat-trick in a one-sided second-half that witnessed a number of wasted chances plus more controversy from the man in charge. Junior, yet to prove his credentials as a major Ahli signing, forced a great save from the keeper with a long-range effort and hit the bar with a header but was guilty of missing a sitter from point-blank range in between. Fifteen minutes from time, Production midfielder Islam Musabbah, already on a yellow card, was sent off by referee Al-Houfi for time-wasting ahead of a freekick, even though it appeared that he left the ball for a teammate. The clock was ticking and the dominant Ahli were awarded an injury-time freekick for a dangerous play, only for Production players to pour their rage on the ref, knowing that Al-Saied will take the kick. The protests ended with a second caution for keeper Saad, forcing coach Helmi to use midfielder Medhat Ramadan in goal after making three changes. Shockingly, Al-Saied failed to hit the target and test the player in goal.
