21 - 27 February 2002
Issue No.574
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 21 - 27 February 2002 Issue No.574 |
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Idle Zamalek reap
Saturday's draw between Ahli and Ismaili benefited reigning champions Zamalek. Abeer Anwar explains
Ismaili and Ahli battled to a 1-1 tie in the domestic soccer league, allowing defending champions Zamalek to retain first place in the standings.
Ahli's Ibrahim Said, boxed out by three Ismaili players, has a hard time reaching the ball
photo: Medhat Abdel-Hamid
The result gave Ismaili 33 points, on par with top of the table Zamalek who lead only on goal average. Ahli linger behind with 23 points but have two matches in hand against Ghazl Mehalla in Mehalla and Arab Contractors in Cairo.
In Ismailia, Ahli was lucky to escape with a point after falling behind early on and withstanding an onslaught in the second half.
The hosts got on the scoreboard as early as the fourth minute when defender Amr Fahim smacked a loose ball from a corner into the left goalmouth.
Ahli fought back to equalise in the 28th minute after new Angolan import Gilberto headed home.
Ismaili pushed for the winner in the second half and kept goalkeeper Essam El-Hadari busy. Their best chance came as substitute Mohamed Mohsen Abu Greisha had his header ricochet off the post. He then pounced on the rebound, only to see his short- range shot fly wide.
Khaled Beebo could have turned the tables on Ismaili but with only the goalkeeper to beat, his shot had little punch and dribbled meekly by.
Both clubs, which were ousted from the cup earlier this month, now have only the league to shoot for and are clearly desperate for every point. Ismaili coach Mohsen Saleh was upset not to have won. "We were better and we had control of the ball throughout the match, especially in the second half. But I am satisfied with the team's performance especially that we were able to stop Khaled Beebo and Ibrahim Said," Saleh said, referring to the striker and the defender who played an offensive role on Saturday.
Ahli's Portuguese coach Manuel Jose was not nearly as disappointed. "The players are still young so they lack the needed experience," Jose said. "Still, they did their best. I wanted to win but experience was on Ismaili's side. So I'm more than satisfied with the result."
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