Modern Sport climb to fifth after comeback win over Wadi Degla

Modern Sport came from behind to beat Wadi Degla 2-1 at Cairo Stadium and claim their second victory of the league season, moving up to fifth place after four rounds.

All three goals were scored within a 20-minute spell at the beginning of the second half. Wadi Degla took the lead through Seif Taqa, but Modern Sport responded with goals from Mahmoud Mamdouh and Mahmoud El-Hawary to complete the turnaround.

The result takes Modern Sport to seven points, level with Tala’ea El Gaish in the table. Their record now stands at two wins, one draw and one defeat, with their only loss coming against Ceramica Cleopatra in the third round.

Wadi Degla remain on five points in 11th place after suffering their first defeat of the campaign.

The top six teams in the league standings after the first phase will qualify for the championship round. That stage will begin after the completion of the 19th round and the conclusion of the first phase.

Modern Sport will play Asyut Petroleum in their next match on Tuesday, while Wadi Degla will host Al Mokawloon Al Arab on the same day.

How the match unfolded

Modern Sport had the ball in the net as early as the second minute, when Kamel Ahmed Kaboria finished an attack. However, the effort was disallowed for offside.

The first half saw periods of control shared between the two sides, although neither team created a clear-cut opportunity capable of seriously testing the opposing goalkeeper.

Wadi Degla broke the deadlock eight minutes after the interval. Ziad Osama “Zizo” delivered an excellent corner and Seif Taqa rose to head the ball into the net in the 53rd minute.

Modern Sport almost levelled three minutes later when Mahmoud Mamdouh found space, but his effort went narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

The pressure eventually produced an equaliser in the 60th minute. Mamdouh completed the move after receiving a pass from Arnold Eba and made no mistake from the opportunity.

Modern Sport then turned the game around five minutes later. Arnold Eba’s shot struck the post before the ball fell to Mahmoud El-Hawary, who followed up and calmly finished into the net to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Having taken control of the scoreline, Modern Sport dropped deeper as they attempted to protect their advantage during the closing stages.

The home side nevertheless faced a late scare in the sixth minute of added time. A free-kick was awarded to Wadi Degla on the edge of the penalty area after Modern Sport goalkeeper Mustafa Makhlouf was judged to have handled the ball outside his box.