Finally, the fall

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FOR THE first time in 71 matches in the domestic league Ahli lost, crushed by Ismaili 3-0 on Sunday. The loss was all the more embarrassing for Ahli which will start celebrating their centennial anniversary tomorrow.

No other team had been able to beat Ahli since 21 May 2004 when Zamalek did the trick.

Though Ahli still lead the league, the defending champions are now just six points ahead of second place Ismaili and 11 more than Zamalek who play the Arab Contractors today.

Ahli have 41 points, Ismaili 35 points and Zamalek 30 points with 13 matches left in the season.

In Sunday's match in Cairo Stadium, star Ahli player Mohamed Abou Treika was knocked out cold by an opponent's elbow and lay motionless for several minutes before he was helped off the pitch in the 80th minute. The scene brought back vivid and painful memories of last summer's death of Ahli defender Mohamed Abdel-Wahab, 23, in training from sudden heart failure.

Abu Treika sought to return to the pitch -- the three substitutions had been made -- but the club physician refused.