Red is back

By the end of the second week of the national football league it was clear who are favoured to win it all. Mohamed El-Sayed reports

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Ahli's Abu Treika delivers one of his no-look passes

Though the season is still in its infancy, Ahli have already staked out a claim for their first title in four years. Having mobilised an arsenal of Egypt's elite players, the red "dream team" as critics call them, are sure to be serious challengers.

Firmly determined to end their drought, Ahli easily beat Tersana 2-0 on Sunday in a packed Military Academy Stadium to take the lead in the standings with six points from two matches. The red devils dominated the game, leaving the visitors on the defensive throughout.

Still, it took Ahli 42 minutes to score their first goal via the head of the man of the match Mohamed Abu Treika. An ex- Tersana player, Abu Treika seems specialised in scoring against his old team, having scored twice in the last season's second- round match that ended 2-0 for the reds.

In the second half, Ahli continued their dominance over a team whose apparently chief concern was not to be beaten too badly. Having wasted several chances since he was brought on after the restart, Khaled Bibo did justice to one opportunity, shooting past the keeper Raphael of Mozambique in the 77th minute.

Since his historic four goals against arch rivals Zamalek in 2002, Bibo's curve has taken a significant downturn. It was believed his performance might improve now that he is playing with three former teammates from Ismaili -- Mohamed Barakat, Emad El-Nahhas and Islam El-Shater.

The match did see a return to form of Barakat, Egypt's best footballer in 2002.

Two days earlier, on Friday, Zamalek lost their first two points this season after managing a 1-1 draw with the newly promoted Cement Assiut. Zamalek took the lead in the first half from free kick specialist Wael El-Qabbani before the Upper Egyptian team equalised 15 minutes before the end.

Despite the loss of two points, Zamalek set a national league record: for going undefeated in 47 consecutive league matches. Their last defeat was in October 2002 against the Coastal Guards.

Traditional third place finishers Ismaili stumbled, losing 2-1 to Mansoura in Ismailia in one of the biggest upsets of the young season. Ismaili are likely to be ruled out of a championship run this season after the sale of key players last season.

Surprisingly, Mansoura share the lead with Ahli with six points apiece.

In other matches, Enppi drew 2-2 with Baladiyet Al-Mehalla, Ghazl Al-Mehalla were held to a 1-1 draw with Cement Suez, the Coastal Guards punished Ittihad of Alexandria 4-0 and Misri drew with Army 0-0.