An amazing swerving free kick from specialist Abdallah El-Saied was enough for Ahly to claim a precious win against fierce rival Ismaily on Tuesday in a game postponed from the 7th matchday of the Egyptian Premier League. The former Ismaily talisman, who joined the Red Devils last summer, fired his new team to the second spot with 20 points five behind leaders Haras El-Hodoud who played two games more on Ahly. Already dispossessed from his fan base as the game was played behind closed doors according to the Egyptian FA sanction, Ahly had to battle for almost 30 minutes with only 10 men on the pitch after veteran defender Wael Gomaa was sent off in the 57th minute. Cold atmosphere Shame that one of the most highly-rated games in Egypt had to be played without audience to impose a silent mood in the Military Academy stadium. Both teams started the game very cautiously, with Ahly relying on their classic 3-4-3 and Ismaily a 4-3-3 composure, and the beginning also lacked the spark usually provided by the fans ‘enthusiasm. Ismaily gained possession in midfield courtesy to their short passing game and the accuracy of their three central midfielders Ahmed Khairi, Hosni Abd-Rabou and Amr El-Sulaya against a dispersed Ahly's midfield that lacked parsimony. The first action came in the 23rd minute when Abd-Rabou fired a 30-yard free kick forcing Ahly's keeper Sherif Ekramy to stretch and deflect the ball to the corner by the tips of his fingers. Ahly had their first attempt on goal three minutes later when El-Saied connected with striker Emad Meteb but his left-foot effort missed the target. El-Saied confirmed his reputation as a free kick specialist in the 45th minute when he curled a ball from the edge of the area that proved to be the decider. After the break Ahly coach Manuel Jose adopted a more defensive approach bringing in central midfielder Mohamed Shawky replacing Walid Soliman who failed to deliver his goods for the second game in a row. Red card and a lost equalizer Manuel Jose suffered a huge defensive blow after losing right-back Ahmed Fathi for injury; he also had to do without Wael Gomaa who received his second yellow card after a harsh tackle on Mohab Saied. The Portuguese tactician had to bring Shawky back to central defence and then insert central midfielder Shehabeddine Ahmed for lacklustre striker Meteb. The game went in one direction towards Ahly's goal as their players played a zone defence relying on the speed and pace of El-Saied and Mohamed Nagy “Gedo” to hit Ismaily on counters. The Dervishes' coach Mahmoud Gaber pressed forward with Mohamed Mohsen Abou-Gresha and Abdallah Al-Chahat hoping for the equalizer. The substitution almost paid off as the hosts were pushed back into their own half and Ismaily managed to create some opportunities but Ali and substitute striker Mohamed Mohsen Abou-Gresha lacked efficiency in front of goal. The biggest howler came in the 82nd minute when Ahmed Ali rose about the defence to meet Ahmed Samir's cross but he missed the target from inside the six yards to lose the golden opportunity for what would have been a well-deserved equalizer. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online sports on Twitter: @AO_Sports)
