Ghazl El Mahalla and Eastern Company Enppi claim first points in goalless draw

Ghazl El Mahalla and Eastern Company Enppi collected their first points of the league season after playing out a 0-0 draw in the third round of the competition.

Ghazl El Mahalla were held at home in a match where both sides created opportunities but failed to find the decisive finish. The result leaves each team with one point after both had suffered defeats in their opening two fixtures.

Ghazl El Mahalla had lost to Pyramids and Modern Sport in the first and second rounds respectively, while Eastern Company Enppi had been beaten by Al Ahly and Wadi Degla in their previous matches.

The home side made the more forceful start, applying early pressure and attempting to establish control. Eastern Company Enppi’s defence dealt effectively with those attacks, while the visitors looked to retain possession and build from the back. They reached the attacking areas several times but were unable to create a clear opening.

The first significant chance arrived after 15 minutes. Emad Meihoub delivered a corner which was initially met by the defence, but the ball fell to Ahmed Mahmoud outside the penalty area. He struck a powerful effort towards goal, only for Ghazl El Mahalla goalkeeper Amr Mohamed Amer to make an excellent save and turn it behind for another corner.

Ghazl El Mahalla responded seven minutes later with a good opportunity of their own. Mohamed Islam Armoush broke forward down the left and found himself through on goal, but his shot went narrowly wide of the left-hand post.

The hosts continued to threaten, and Abdo Yehia sent a cross into the area from the right in the 26th minute. Mohamed Islam Armoush met it with a header, although the attempt drifted well away from the target.

Despite Ghazl El Mahalla enjoying the better spells of attacking play, Eastern Company Enppi controlled more of the ball during the first half. Their possession reached 59%, compared with 41% for the home team before the interval.

Ghazl El Mahalla improved after the restart and took greater control of possession as they searched for the opening goal. Hazem El Askary was presented with a promising chance inside the penalty area in the 49th minute, but he lifted his left-footed effort high and wide.

The hosts came close again six minutes later when Abdo Yehia moved skilfully into the box before sending a low shot just past the left post. He threatened once more shortly afterwards, rising to meet a cross inside the area, but the Eastern Company Enppi goalkeeper saved his header to prevent what would have been a certain goal.

Eastern Company Enppi regained some control of the ball as the second half progressed, while Ghazl El Mahalla continued to focus on attacks from the wings. The final notable opportunity fell to Ahmed El Ash in the 90th minute, when he unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box that flew just over the crossbar.

Neither side could convert its chances, and the match ended goalless, with Ghazl El Mahalla and Eastern Company Enppi sharing the points.