Ceramica Cleopatra’s second-half double secures 2-0 win over National Bank

Ceramica Cleopatra scored twice after the break to beat National Bank 2-0 in Egyptian League Week 5.

Mohamed Reda Bobbo opened the scoring with a powerful strike from inside the penalty area, finding the top-left corner of the goal.

Amr Qalawa then doubled Ceramica Cleopatra’s advantage with an equally fierce effort from outside the box, which flew into the bottom-right corner.

The match had been goalless at half-time, despite both sides creating some opportunities. Ceramica Cleopatra enjoyed 61% possession compared with National Bank’s 39%, but the opening period produced little sustained danger.

National Bank’s Ahmed Madbouly tested the Ceramica defence early on, sending one effort from outside the penalty area wide before another attempt went over the crossbar. Qalawa also tried his luck from distance for Ceramica Cleopatra, but his shot missed the target.

Bobbo attempted to exploit Ahmed Sobhi’s advanced position with a long-range effort from near the halfway line, although the ball cleared the crossbar.

With 15 minutes remaining in the first half, the game remained locked at 0-0. Play was largely concentrated in midfield, with both teams exchanging passes without seriously threatening either goal.

National Bank’s Osama Faisal sent a cross from the left beyond the field of play, while Ceramica Cleopatra’s Hussein El Sayed delivered from the same side and saw his ball safely claimed by Sobhi.

Ceramica’s Gradisar came closest to breaking the deadlock before the interval when his header from inside the area was gathered by the National Bank goalkeeper.

Ceramica manager Ali Maher was shown a yellow card for protesting against a decision by the referee. Ceramica’s Ahmed Belhaj was also booked.

The referee added three minutes of stoppage time before bringing the first half to an end. There was also a one-minute water break during the opening period.

Ceramica made its first substitution of the match on a forced basis before the second half began. National Bank subsequently made its first change, followed later by a second, while Ceramica also made a second substitution after taking control of the game.

Ten minutes into the second half, Ceramica were leading 1-0, with their players maintaining a series of passes through midfield before creating the opening for Bobbo’s goal.

National Bank responded with another threat from the left when Faisal crossed towards Mostafa Shalaby. Shalaby’s header from the right side of the penalty area appeared destined for the bottom-right corner, but Ceramica goalkeeper Mohamed Alaa produced an excellent save to keep it out.

That stop preserved Ceramica Cleopatra’s lead before Qalawa’s late strike settled the contest.