Egyptian Premier League outfit ghazl el-mahalla has continued their impressive record against Egypt powerhouses as they managed to defeat title holders Al ahly with a narrow 1-0 victory on Monday.
El-Mahalla managed to defeat Al Ahly having succeeded in beating the other Cairo giants Zamalek 2-1 at the same stadium back in February. Al Ahly were coming from a disappointing 1-1 draw against El-Gouna on Friday and were hoping to pick up themselves in El-Mahalla.
The match started immediately with a high tempo from both sides, and the first chance was Al Ahly's after Hussein El-Shahat went through El-Mahalla's defense and launched a powerful drive but the hosts' goalkeeper sends it to corner kick.
10 minutes later El-Shahat returned again to threaten El-Mahalla's goal after he received a through ball from Amr El-Sulaya but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper.
In the 36th minute El-Mahalla received a free-kick that was converted by Ashraf Sayed with a powerful low drive that beat Mohamed El-Shennawy into the back of the net.
In the second half, it was all Al Ahly who had all ball possession with the hosts sitting deep trying to defend their lead.
However, El-Mahalla went with a dangerous counterattack in the 63rd minute after a poor headed back pass from Yasser Ibrahim El-Mahalla forward took advantage of before squaring it to Hesham Adel whose effort went just over the bar.
The biggest chance for the Red Devils arrived in the 72nd minute after El-Mahalla goalkeeper failed to collect a long ball to leave it loose for Mohamed Sherif whose close range effort was way off target.
Al Ahly continued to squander chances this time through Salah Mohsen's header on the near post late in the 90th minute.
In the 95th minute Hussein El-Shahat went down inside the box after a duel with El-Mahalla's Fathi Mabrouk but it was waived away by match official Mohamed Maarouf even after VAR review.
With the victory, El-Mahalla have leaped to the eighth place in the standings with 27 points from 19 games, while Al Ahly have remained in the second place with 37 points, four points behind league leaders Zamalek having played two games less.
