Al Ahly held by Arab Contractors after penalty drama in Egyptian Premier League

Al Ahly were held to a 1-1 draw by Arab Contractors in the fourth week of the Egyptian Premier League after both sides scored from the penalty spot.

Islam Gaber gave Arab Contractors the lead before Ahmed Sayed Zizo equalised for Al Ahly with a confidently taken spot-kick. The result remained level after Al Ahly had a goal ruled out for offside, with VAR officials confirming the referee’s decision.

The opening half ended goalless despite Al Ahly enjoying a greater share of possession and applying sustained pressure around the Arab Contractors penalty area.

Arab Contractors were organised in defence and frustrated their opponents, while Al Ahly created a number of opportunities from set-pieces. Ahmed Sayed Zizo delivered several corners from the right and left, but the visitors’ defence repeatedly cleared the danger.

One of the better chances fell to Sufian Benjdida, who met a low cross from Zizo after Achraf Bencharki’s short corner routine, although his effort went wide.

Arab Contractors also threatened from distance. Idrissa Thiam’s shot from outside the area was deflected behind for a corner, while another attempt from the same player was comfortably gathered by Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. Thiam later tried an acrobatic effort from outside the box, but it lacked power and ended in the goalkeeper’s hands.

Al Ahly were awarded a free-kick after Yasser Ibrahim was penalised, while Doku Dodo was also booked for a strong challenge on Zizo. Omar Kamal was twice caught offside after positioning himself beyond the Al Ahly defensive line.

Arab Contractors’ pressure eventually produced the opening goal. The referee awarded a penalty after Mohamed Hany fouled Omar Kamal inside the area. Gaber sent El Shenawy the wrong way by placing his shot into the left side of the net, giving Arab Contractors a 1-0 lead.

Al Ahly responded by pushing forward, but their opponents maintained a disciplined defensive shape. A free-kick taken by Idrissa Thiam was saved by El Shenawy in two attempts, while further corners from Zizo and Bencharki failed to create a clear opening.

The match was briefly paused for a hydration break before the interval, allowing the players to recover in the heat.

Al Ahly made their first substitution at the start of the second half, and a further change followed. Play was also stopped when Amr El Gazzar required treatment and appeared unable to continue, prompting an enforced substitution. Arab Contractors made their first change as well.

After an hour, the scores were level. Al Ahly won a penalty when Bencharki was brought down inside the area by Mostafa Gamal. Zizo stepped up and sent a low finish into the left corner, despite Mohamed Fawzi diving in that direction, to make it 1-1.

Al Ahly then thought they had taken the lead when Monsef Bakrar found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside. VAR checked the incident and upheld the on-field decision.

Zizo was later shown a yellow card for a strong challenge on Khaled Abdel Fattah. Al Ahly continued to look for a winner, with Ahmed Nabil Kouka sending a cross into the area that Bakrar could not control, allowing the ball to run out for a goal-kick.

Arab Contractors held firm during the closing stages. A corner from Bencharki was played short without producing danger, while a later delivery from Ali Mahmoud travelled across the area untouched and went out for a throw-in.

The referee added four minutes of stoppage time, but neither side could find a winning goal. Al Ahly also had an administrator, Wael Gomaa, booked for protesting against an official’s decision.