Ahly’s “Carteron” 2nd competition exit in one month

Ahly’s coach Carteron misery of late was compounded as the Cairo giants were eliminated from Zayed Champions Cup after a draw with the UAE’s Al-Wasl on Thursday, less than two weeks after losing the African Champions League final to Tunisia’s Esperance in Rades.

After a disappointing 2-2 draw at home in the first-leg against Al-Wasl last month, Ahly desperately needed to win away in the UAE tonight but were held to a 1-1 draw by the Emirati side, exiting the regional tournament on the away goal rule.

In-form winger Walid Soliman put Ahly ahead on the hour-mark but, with eight minutes remaining in regulation, Al-Wasl’s Korean defender Ban-seok Oh leveled the score, lifting his team to the tournament’s final eight.

Ahly made a good start but the post denied international striker Marwan Mohsen a goal from a nice shot after six minutes.

However, the UAE side quickly recomposed themselves, controlling the rhythm and dominating the rest of the first half in terms of possession, but without a real threat.

The second half saw the entry of Ahly’s Moroccan striker Walid Azaro in place of winger Mohamed Sherif as Ahly coach sought to strengthen his frontline.

Walid Soliman gained a free kick two meters outside the area and he sent a nice curling shot into the net to give Ahly the lead in minute 60.

Azaro had a chance to add the second goal to kill the game but his close-range effort was denied by the keeper.

A blunder from Ahly’s international keeper Mohamed El-Shennawy, who failed to collect the ball on a cross, allowed Ban-seok Oh to score the equaliser with a close-range header eight minutes from time.