Ismaily’s struggle to stay in the Egyptian Premier League grew more complicated after a 1-0 defeat away to Modern Sport at Cairo Stadium in round 16 of the competition.
The hosts struck the only goal of the game through Rashad Al-Motawalli in the 53rd minute, capping a flowing move that broke Ismaily’s resistance. Modern Sport finished the match with ten men after Mohamed Hilal was sent off deep into stoppage time at 90+9 minutes.
The clash marked Ismaily’s first outing under new coach Tarek El Ashry, who recently replaced Algerian boss Miloud Hamdi in an effort to revive the team’s fortunes.
However, the defeat left Ismaily stuck on 10 points in 20th place, the penultimate spot, after 15 games, with a postponed match still to play against Al Ahly. Modern Sport, led by coach Ahmed Samy, moved up to 20 points and ninth place, strengthening their position in mid-table.
Under the league format, the top seven clubs advance to a championship phase, while teams placed from eighth to 21st battle to avoid relegation, with four sides ultimately dropping out.
In other matches, Ghazl El Mahalla drew 0-0 at home to Talaea El Gaish, reaching 17 points and 14th place, while El Gaish climbed to 12 points in 18th.
Smouha earned a 2-1 away win over Enppi, with Khaled El Ghandour opening the scoring, Youssef Oubaba equalising, and Samir Fekri netting a late winner after Smouha’s Mohamed Kone was sent off, lifting Smouha to 22 points in seventh as Enppi stayed on 19 points in 10th.
