Baher El Mohamady own goal gives Al Ittihad Alexandria victory over Al Masry

Al Ittihad Alexandria beat Al Masry 1-0 in week five of the Egyptian League after Baher El Mohamady scored an own goal.

The decisive moment came when a cross into the Al Masry penalty area was met by Hossam Hassan, whose attempted pass struck El Mohamady and ended up in the net. The goal gave Al Ittihad the lead after a goalless first half.

Al Masry had the clearer early opportunity. Ali Soliman broke through on the left side of the penalty area and saw his shot saved by Al Ittihad goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman. The rebound fell back to him, but his second attempt went wide.

Al Ittihad also created chances before the interval. A cross from Moamen Awad was collected by the Al Masry goalkeeper, while Aramola later found space inside the area but put his effort narrowly wide of the right post.

Al Masry dominated possession in spells without creating a decisive opening. Mohamed Touny’s long pass was safely held by the Al Masry goalkeeper, while Mohamed Makhlouf’s set-piece delivery was cleared by the Al Ittihad defence.

Play was twice interrupted in the first half, initially because of an injury to Al Masry player Abdel Rahim Daghmoum and later to Al Ittihad goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman. The players also stopped for a water break. Four minutes of added time were played at the end of the half.

Al Masry looked for an equaliser after the restart. A cross from Daghmoum reached the head of Abdel Rahim Daghmoum, whose effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Abdullah Zayani then struck from outside the area but missed the target, while Mohamed Makhlouf tested the goalkeeper with another long-range effort.

Al Ittihad threatened on the counter-attack, with Aramola firing wide from distance and later seeing another effort go past the left post. The home side also made several substitutions as they protected their advantage.

Salah Mohsen came close for Al Masry with a shot from outside the penalty area that went just beyond the left post. Al Masry continued to press through crosses and short passing moves, but Al Ittihad’s defence dealt with the danger.

Play was stopped again for a drinks break and after an injury to Al Ittihad player Mido Mostafa. The referee added five minutes at the end of the match, but Al Masry could not find a way through.

The match also featured Ahmed El Karmoty, Mahmoud Hamada, Karim Bambo, Joseph Arumala, Yousri Waheed, Karim El Iraqi, Mohamed El Shamy, Mohamed Touny, Mohamed Fakhry, John Ebuka, Youssef El Gohary, Abdullah Zayani, Kenneth Simakula, Mahmoud Emad, Pascal Verry, Nour Ala El Din, Mostafa El Esh and Ali Soliman.