Nejc Gradisar scores first Ceramica Cleopatra goal in 3-1 win over Al Ittihad Alexandria

Nejc Gradisar scored his first goal for Ceramica Cleopatra as his side beat Al Ittihad Alexandria 3-1 in the second round of the Egyptian Premier League.

Ahmed Belhaj and Marwan Osman were also on target for Ceramica Cleopatra, while Hossam Hassan scored the only goal for Al Ittihad Alexandria.

The result gave Ceramica Cleopatra their first league victory of the season and their first three points. They had opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat by Al Qanah.

Al Ittihad Alexandria remain on one point, earned from their opening-round draw with Zamalek.

Gradisar is playing for Ceramica Cleopatra this season on loan from Al Ahly. The Slovenian completed the scoring with his first goal for the club, restoring a two-goal advantage only two minutes after Al Ittihad had reduced the deficit.

Gradisar completes Ceramica Cleopatra victory

Ceramica Cleopatra started positively and eventually broke the deadlock in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.

Moroccan forward Ahmed Belhaj reacted quickest to a loose ball after it had rebounded off the Al Ittihad Alexandria defence. He then struck a right-footed shot into the net to give Ceramica Cleopatra the lead before the interval.

The home side extended their advantage in the 66th minute through Marwan Osman. Osman produced an excellent piece of play to create the opportunity before finishing into the Al Ittihad goal.

Al Ittihad Alexandria responded by pulling a goal back 10 minutes later. Hossam Hassan received a low delivery from the left and found the net with his right foot, bringing his team back into the contest at 2-1.

Ceramica Cleopatra’s response was immediate. In the 78th minute, Gradisar scored the third goal to settle the match and secure a 3-1 victory.

The win marks Ceramica Cleopatra’s first success in the league this season following their opening defeat by Al Qanah. It also leaves them with three points after two matches.

For Al Ittihad Alexandria, the defeat means they remain with the single point collected against Zamalek in the first round. Their failure to build on that result left them without a league win after two games.

Belhaj, Osman and Gradisar provided the goals that secured Ceramica Cleopatra’s victory, while Hassan’s second-half effort was not enough to earn Al Ittihad Alexandria a result.