22 - 28 February 2001
Issue No.522
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 22 - 28 February 2001 Issue No.522 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
The dynasty crumbles
Ahli's first league loss this season should have come sooner. The club had been playing less than mediocre football but had gotten away with it by beating even poorer opponents.
Fighting for the ball in Ismailia
But the string of near escapes finally caught up with the seven-year title holders. Ahli went down 1-0 to Ismaili this week in what might well prove the defining point of the season. With 45 points and just six matches left, Ahli is four points behind leaders Zamalek which has one match in hand.
Sunday's clash in Ismailia marked the sixth consecutive time Ahli had failed to beat Ismaili. The run has consisted of a draw and five losses, including last year's cup final.
The sole goal was scored by last year's top league scorer, Nigerian John Otaka, whose header from a direct kick in the final minutes of the first half bounced on the ground once before skidding past goalkeeper Essam El-Hadari.
The goal spurred Ahli into playing one of its better second-half periods of the year, but as the clock wound down its short passing game degenerated into long balls sent high into the Ismaili half in a desperate bid for at least an equaliser.
Desperation also seemed to be behind Ahli's untimely substitutions which saw the experienced Sayed Abdel-Hafiz and Yasser Rayan replaced by rookie Ussama Hosni and an out-of-form Khaled Bibo, the former Ismailia ace, who made little impact as he faced his old team.
The win gave Ismaili, which was tipped to unseat Ahli this season, 36 points and fourth place. The club failed to live up to the pre-league hype after a series of injuries sidelined several key players.
The week's schedule was unusually crowded with other matches. Officials wanted to play as many games as possible before the league takes a respite as the national team prepares to meet Namibia on 25 February in a World Cup qualifying game.
Zamalek's 2-0 home win against Mansoura gave the prenennial bridesmaid hope for a first place finish this year. Mehalla edged Maaden 1-0 and Misri beat Ittihad 1-0 to stay in third place. The Arab Contractors beat Dina 3-1 to leave last year's surprise team with only 12 points.
The previous games saw Ahli draw with Maaden 0-0. Zamalek tied with Qena 2-2, the Contractors nipped Railroad Sohag 1-0, Tersana and Mansoura levelled at 2-2, Misri defeated Kouroum 3-1, Mehalla beat Ittihad 1-0 and Ismaili downed Dina 2-0.
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