Masri extended their unbeaten streak under new coach Theo Buecker to four games after earning a 1-1 draw at home to Harras Hodoud in the Egyptian Premier League on Tuesday. Egypt forward Ahmed Eid put Hodoud ahead in the 37th minute after capitalizing on a mistake by Masri keeper Amir Abdul-Hamid. Abdul-Hamid, who joined from Ahli in the January transfer window, failed to handle an easy-looking cross to allow Eid to slot into an empty net. Hodoud, who held Ahli to a 1-1 draw in their previous match, appeared to be heading for their first win since December but were denied by a controversial decision from the referee. The referee awarded Hodoud a penalty ten minutes from time when Cameroonian keeper Mathurin Kameni allegedly brought down Mohamed Khalifa after a cross slipped out of his grasp.
However, Television replays suggested there had been minimal contact between Kameni and Khalifa. Diminutive winger Ahmed Shedid converted the ensuing penalty to level the score. Masri could have even snatched a precious win in stoppage time when Malian forward Osman Bagayoko rose to head home a free kick at the near post but his goal was ruled out for offside. Hodoud, who won the Egyptian Cup last season but suffered a dip in form this term, lie 13th in the 16-team league table, just two points above the relegation zone. Masri, who are enjoying a revival under German boss Buecker, are 11th with 21 points.
