Al Ahly held to thrilling draw by Canal in Egyptian Premier League

Al Ahly were held to a 3-3 draw by Canal after a dramatic Egyptian Premier League encounter in which both sides twice took the lead.

Omar El Saai opened the scoring for Al Ahly, finishing from Mohamed Hany’s pass from the right. Canal levelled through Mahmoud Shalata, who collected Mohamed Sadek’s ball, beat his marker and curled a powerful effort into the far-left corner.

Canal then moved in front when Hazem Abu Sena scored from close range after goalkeeper’s save fell to him following a powerful effort by Moheb Samy from outside the area.

Al Ahly restored parity through Achraf Bencharki, who converted Tawfik Mohamed’s low cross from the left with a first-time finish into the right side of the net.

The visitors appeared to have completed the comeback late in the match when Canal defender Yassin Marei put the ball into his own goal while attempting to clear Mohamed Hamdy Zaky’s run into the area. The goal was checked by the video assistant referee and confirmed, giving Al Ahly a 3-2 lead.

Canal, however, secured a point when a long cross from goalkeeper Mohamed Shaaban reached Mohamed Hamdy Zaky. Yassin Marei attempted to clear but inadvertently sent the ball into his own net.

Canal had earlier threatened through Shalata, who delivered a cross for Hamdy Zaky, but his header went over. Abu Sena also forced Mustafa Shobeir into a save with a left-footed effort, while Hazem’s header from inside the area went wide.

Al Ahly created opportunities through Ahmed Sayed Zizo, who delivered a series of dangerous set-pieces. His free-kick was sent over the bar, while another cross was cleared for a corner. A corner aimed towards the far post found Monsef Bekar, whose header missed the target.

Hussein El Shahat tested Shaaban with a shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the Canal goalkeeper held it firmly. Al Ahly players also appealed for a penalty after Omar El Saai went down in the area, although the referee allowed play to continue.

The match included two water breaks, several substitutions and a stoppage after Mahmoud El Behery Harsha was unable to continue. Canal made a forced second substitution, while Al Ahly made four changes, including their first and second substitutions before a later pair.

Al Ahly controlled 63% of possession in the first half, with Canal recording 37%. In the second half, the figures were 55% to 45%, while Al Ahly had eight shots to Canal’s seven. Al Ahly won four corners compared with one for Canal.

The referee added four minutes at the end of the first half and five minutes in the second.