Islam Gaber penalty puts Al Mokawloon Al Arab ahead against Al Ahly

Islam Gaber converted a late penalty to give Al Mokawloon Al Arab the lead against Al Ahly in week four of the Egyptian League, after Omar Kamal was brought down inside the area by Mohamed Hany.

Gaber sent his spot-kick low into the left corner, while Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy dived to his right. The referee immediately awarded the penalty after judging that Hany had fouled Kamal.

The breakthrough came after Al Ahly had enjoyed a spell of pressure but struggled to find a way through a well-organised Al Mokawloon Al Arab defence. Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Ashraf Bencharki and Monsef Bekar were involved in several attacking moves, while Sofiane Bendjida was also presented with an opportunity.

Earlier, Al Ahly had threatened from a series of corners. One delivery from the left by Bencharki was played short and ultimately failed to trouble the Al Mokawloon Al Arab goal. Another corner, taken by Monsef Bekar, was worked to Bencharki, who then found Ali Mahmoud. His cross travelled beyond everyone and went out for a throw-in.

Zizo later sent a low cross towards Bendjida after another corner from the left, but the Al Ahly forward’s effort was wide. Zizo also delivered a corner from the right which was cleared by the defence and another from the left that was dealt with before the ball was eventually cleared towards midfield.

Al Mokawloon Al Arab had their own chances before taking the lead. Idrissa Thiam tried his luck from outside the penalty area, but his first effort struck an Al Ahly defender and went behind for a corner. He later attempted an acrobatic shot from distance, although it lacked power and was comfortably held by El Shenawy.

Omar El-Wahsh took the resulting corner from the left, with Al Ahly clearing under pressure. Al Mokawloon Al Arab also won a free-kick in their defensive half after Yasser Ibrahim committed a foul, while another was awarded following a challenge by Doko Dodo.

Doko Dodo was shown a yellow card for a strong tackle on Zizo. Kamal was twice caught offside after taking up an incorrect position behind the Al Ahly defensive line.

Al Mokawloon Al Arab were awarded a free-kick near the left edge of the penalty area after Hany fouled Kamal. Kamal took responsibility himself, but his strike hit the wall before Al Ahly cleared the danger towards the halfway line.

A half-hour had passed with the score still 0-0 before the penalty changed the contest. Play resumed with Al Ahly in possession in their own half, while the match also included a scheduled drinks break to allow the players to recover.

The referee added four minutes of stoppage time. At the latest point covered by the match updates, Al Mokawloon Al Arab remained in front through Gaber’s successful penalty.