Egyptian outfit Ismaily stun Petrojet to revive survival hopes

Ismaily SC produced a dramatic late breakthrough to secure a priceless 1-0 victory over Petrojet SC in the Egyptian Premier League relegation group, sealing all three points in the dying seconds of a tense encounter.

The match, played at 5 pm in the seventh round of the relegation phase, saw both sides locked in a cautious and evenly balanced battle, with chances few and far between as the pressure of survival weighed heavily on the contest.

From the opening whistle, neither side managed to impose full control, as Ismaily and Petrojet traded cautious spells of possession and half-chances in a game defined more by tension than clear-cut attacking football. With points at a premium in the relegation group, both teams appeared wary of committing too many men forward.

The relegation group—made up of 14 teams fighting to avoid the drop, with four clubs set to be relegated at season’s end—has intensified every fixture, and this encounter was no exception.

Just when the match looked destined to end in a goalless stalemate, late drama unfolded deep into stoppage time. In the 90+6 minute, Anwar Abdel Salam emerged as the hero for Ismaily, finding the decisive breakthrough that sent the Ismailia-based side into jubilation.

The goal sparked wild celebrations on the Ismaily bench, as the strike delivered not only three vital points but also a renewed sense of belief in their fight for survival. It was a moment of pure relief for a team battling at the bottom of the table and desperately in need of inspiration.

For Petrojet, the defeat was a frustrating blow. Despite a solid and disciplined performance for much of the game, they were undone at the final hurdle, leaving them stuck on 34 points and in fifth place in the standings.

The result, however, carries even greater significance for Ismaily. The win lifts them to 17 points, though they remain rooted at the bottom of the table in 14th position. Yet, the dramatic nature of the victory could prove psychologically crucial as the relegation battle enters its decisive stages.

Ismaily’s late winner not only breathes life into their survival hopes but also highlights the unpredictable intensity of the relegation group, where fortunes can change in a single moment of brilliance—or heartbreak.

As the season edges closer to its conclusion, Ismaily will hope this stoppage-time heroics becomes a turning point rather than just a fleeting spark in their fight to remain in Egypt’s top flight.