Egypt Cup: Arab Contractors and Wadi Degla begin group stages with wins

Arab Contractors opened their Egypt Cup group campaign with a 2-0 victory over El Gouna, while Wadi Degla defeated Al Ittihad Alexandria 1-0 in the same round.

Shady Hussein scored both goals for Arab Contractors, who took all three points despite El Gouna controlling the match with 10 men from the 14th minute.

El Gouna goalkeeper Ahmed Massoud was shown a direct red card after handling the ball outside his penalty area. The referee initially reviewed the incident on video before confirming the dismissal.

It was the first sending-off of the 34-year-old goalkeeper’s career, either directly or after receiving two yellow cards.

Massoud began his professional career with Telephonat Beni Suef during the 2012-13 season. He later moved to Al Masry, then to Misr Lel Makassa, before returning to the Port Said club. He subsequently joined Tala’ea El Gaish and then moved to El Gouna.

The match was Massoud’s 262nd appearance in all competitions.

Arab Contractors eventually broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, when Hussein finished from a pass by Joseph Ochaya. Hussein completed his brace seven minutes later, scoring in the 88th minute to end El Gouna’s hopes of salvaging at least a draw.

The result moved Arab Contractors on to three points and level with Al Ahly at the top of the group. Al Ahly began their campaign with a 5-0 win over Asyut Petroleum.

The group contains Al Ahly, Arab Contractors, Eastern Company ENPPI, El Gouna and Asyut Petroleum.

Wadi Degla edge past Al Ittihad Alexandria

Wadi Degla also started their group campaign with a victory, beating Al Ittihad Alexandria 1-0.

Ahmed Refaat scored the decisive goal in the 77th minute, his first of the current season. The goal gave Wadi Degla all three points and put them level with ZED.

The match was Mustafa Shabita’s second in charge of Wadi Degla. He lost his first game as manager to Arab Contractors in the fifth round of the Egyptian Premier League, but then guided the team to its first win under his leadership against Al Ittihad Alexandria.

The group is made up of Wadi Degla, Al Ittihad Alexandria, Tala’ea El Gaish, Zamalek and ZED.