VAR intervention denies goals as Smouha and Ceramica Cleopatra remain level in Egyptian Premier League

Video assistant referee intervention ruled out goals for both Smouha and Ceramica Cleopatra as the two sides remained locked in a goalless contest in Egyptian Premier League gameweek four.

Ceramica Cleopatra appeared to take the lead through Marwan Othman after a fine pass from Samir El Iraqi sent him through on goal. Othman carried the ball into the penalty area and finished into the left side of the net.

However, the referee reviewed the incident on the advice of VAR and disallowed the goal for offside against Othman. The review confirmed the original decision, leaving the score at 0-0.

Smouha also had a goal ruled out for an offside offence involving Pape Badji. The referee initially cancelled the effort, then checked the decision using VAR before confirming that the striker had been in an illegal position.

The opening half saw both teams create opportunities without finding a valid breakthrough. Badji tested the Ceramica Cleopatra goalkeeper with a powerful low effort from outside the penalty area, but the shot was saved well.

Mohamed Konie came close for Smouha when he struck a strong shot from the right side of the box. His effort travelled narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Ceramica Cleopatra threatened from set-pieces, with Ahmed Belhaj taking a corner from the right and sending the ball into the area. Smouha’s defence dealt with the danger on that occasion, as it did with another Belhaj corner aimed towards the middle of the box.

Mohamed Reda Bobo also tried to break the deadlock from distance, but his powerful attempt went wide. Later, he won a free-kick near the penalty area after being challenged by Mohamed Konie. Bobo took the set-piece himself, but his shot struck the defensive wall and went behind for a corner.

Smouha created one of its better openings when Khaled El Ghandour delivered a corner from the left towards the near post. Samir Fikri met the cross with a shot, but the attempt went wide.

Badji was repeatedly caught offside, with the forward flagged on several occasions for positioning beyond the last defender. Samir Fikri was also penalised for offside.

The match was interrupted more than once after Badji went down, while a short water break was also taken during the first half. There were several stoppages for fouls in midfield and inside the teams’ defensive halves.

The referee showed yellow cards to players from both sides. One Smouha player was booked for a challenge on Hussein El Sayed, while a Ceramica Cleopatra player also received a yellow card. Further cautions were recorded for Smouha players, although the individuals were not identified in the match report.

Smouha enjoyed periods of sustained possession, exchanging a series of passes in Ceramica Cleopatra’s defensive half as they looked for an opening. Ceramica, who held 55% possession to Smouha’s 45% after 30 minutes, attempted to control the match in the middle of the pitch.

Mohamed Desouky won a foul for Smouha in his own defensive half, while Amr Qalawa earned a free-kick for Ceramica Cleopatra in a similar area. Samir Fikri was also fouled following a challenge from Hussein El Sayed.

Five minutes of added time were signalled at the end of the half, but neither side could produce a decisive finish.