Al Ahly held by Team FC after Imam Ashour misses penalty in friendly

Al Ahly were held to a goalless draw by professional-division side Team FC in a friendly match designed to give playing time to players who have been left out of recent matches and those returning from injury.

Head coach Houcine Ammouta used the game to involve several senior players, including goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Achraf Dari, Yassin Marei, Reda Slim, Imam Ashour, Afsha and Hussein El Shahat.

The match’s decisive moment came in the first half when Oktay Abdullah won a penalty for Al Ahly. However, Ashour was unable to convert from the spot as Team FC kept the score level.

The fixture was arranged as preparation and rehabilitation for Al Ahly’s squad, allowing Ammouta to assess players who have had limited involvement or have recently returned from fitness problems. Despite their attacking options, Al Ahly could not find a way past their opponents and had to settle for a draw.

Al Ahly’s next competitive fixture will be against Al Mokawloon Al Arab in the fourth round of the Egyptian Premier League. They go into that match after beating Smouha 1-0 in their previous league game.

The club have won their opening league fixtures against Al Sharqia, ENPPI, ZED and Smouha, and are continuing their campaign with a perfect record in the tournament. Their goalless draw with Team FC was a friendly and therefore did not affect their league position or points tally.

Al Ahly currently sit second in the Egyptian Premier League table, level on points with leaders Pyramids FC but behind them on goal difference.

The meeting with Team FC therefore served as a separate opportunity for the coaching staff to maintain match sharpness across the squad. El Shenawy, Dari, Marei, Slim, Ashour, Afsha and El Shahat were among those given a chance to play, while the result gave Team FC a notable stalemate against one of Egyptian football’s leading clubs.

Ashour’s missed penalty was the only major incident identified from the contest, with neither side managing to score during the friendly. Al Ahly will now turn their attention back to league competition and their upcoming match against Al Mokawloon Al Arab.