Egyptian League: Al Ittihad Alexandria and Ghazl El Mahalla play out goalless opening 15 minutes

Al Ittihad Alexandria and Ghazl El Mahalla remained level at 0-0 after the opening 15 minutes of their Egyptian League – Week 7 match.

Ghazl El Mahalla created the clearest opportunity of the early stages when Mohamed Ikbad rounded Al Ittihad Alexandria goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman and found himself facing an empty net. His finish lacked power, however, allowing the defence to recover and clear the danger.

Al Ittihad Alexandria then threatened through Hossam Hassan, whose effort from inside the penalty area was saved by Ghazl El Mahalla goalkeeper Amer Mohamed Amer. The goalkeeper needed two attempts to secure the ball.

Mohamed Ikbad also tried his luck from outside the penalty area for Ghazl El Mahalla, but his shot struck a defender and failed to reach the goal.

Ghazl El Mahalla won successive corners from the right. Ahmed Atman delivered the first into the penalty area, where Sobhi Soliman punched the ball away from danger. The second was played short before Atman sent in a cross, which the Al Ittihad Alexandria defence diverted behind for another corner.

At the other end, Al Ittihad Alexandria earned a corner from the left. Momen Awad played it short, but Ghazl El Mahalla’s defence dealt with the threat quickly.

Momen Awad was later shown a yellow card for Al Ittihad Alexandria.

Play was briefly stopped while Ghazl El Mahalla player Yehia Zakaria received treatment. The match resumed after the injury break.

The game also paused for a drinks break, with both sides given the opportunity to take on fluids and recover their breath. The match then continued with neither team able to break the deadlock.