Holders Ahli made it two wins out of two matches in the Egyptian Premier League after coming from behind to earn a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Police Union on Wednesday.
Ahli fell behind to Ahmed Galal’s 31st-minute goal but a trademark shot by Egypt skipper Ahmed Hassan, who also scored in Ahli’s opening victory over Ghazl Mahalla, restored parity shortly after.
Substitute Hussein Yasser, who was given a new lease of life by coach Hossam Al-Badri, handed the Red Devils a precious win ten minutes from time via a deflected effort.
Police, the club Ahli failed to beat in two matches last season, have one point from two games.
Lone Striker
Ahli’s Hani Al-Egeizi was deployed as a lone striker due to shortage of options upfront. He was supported by attacking midfielders Mohamed Abou-Treika and Mohamed Barakat.
Central defender Sherif Abdul-Fadil made his competitive debut to partner Egyptian international Wael Gomaa in the heart of the Cairo giants’ backline.
Ahli were missing frontmen Francis Doe, Mohamed Fadl, Ahmed Belal and Osama Hosni – who are all injured.
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Police were the better side in the early stages as they pressed forward in a bid to claim a surprising lead.
They were rewarded on 31 minutes when forward Ahmed Galal scored against his old club to put Police ahead.
Veteran midfielder Hassan needed four minutes to level the score with a superb long-range drive.
Al-Egeizi was booed by Ahli fans after failing to convert a couple of goalscoring opportunities and was replaced with Angolan winger Gilberto shortly before the break.
Although the Red Devils played without unrecognized striker afterwards, they still had the upper hand.
They had several attempts thwarted by Police keeper Mohamed Khalaf but Talaat Youssef’s side could not hang onto draw.
Egyptian-born Qatari winger Yasser, who was handed few opportunities under former coach Manuel Jose, notched the decisive goal after his shot deflected off a defender to wrong-foot Khalaf and find the net.
