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Al Ahly defeated defending champions Zamalek 5-3 in a high-octane game to make it three wins out of three in the Egyptian Premier League on Friday.
In-game that featured three penalties and sublime goals, Ahly prevailed despite wasting a chance to record their biggest ever derby win, having taken their foot off-gas in the latter stages as Zamalek spared their blushes with two late goals.
Ahly, who were pipped by Zamalek to the league title last season, went 3-0 up inside the first 25 minutes in a stunning start, thanks to an own goal from keeper Mohamed Abou-Gabal, a penalty from Ali Maaloul and an impressive strike from lone frontman Mohamed Sherif.
Zamalek’s Mostafa Fathi made an instant impact off the bench to narrow the gap early in the second half via an unstoppable shot but Aliou Dieng quickly restored Ahly’s three-goal cushion with an equally impressive curler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XkDiSY6tDQ?feature=oembed
Maaloul converted another penalty on 65 minutes on the second attempt after his initial spot-kick, which was saved before Sherif followed up to slot home, was ordered re-taken for encroachment.
At this point everything seemed to go Ahly’s way and a victory similar to their famous 6-1 derby win in 2002 seemed well on the cards.
But they needlessly retreated into their own half and Zamalek took advantage to give the scoreline a more respectable look, with winger Ahmed Zizo converting an 80th-minute penalty and Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki drilling home in the final minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W21bWyecM7o?feature=oembed
The scoreline eclipsed Ahly’s 4-3 victory over Zamalek in the Egypt Cup final in 2007, which produced seven goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDVoiqF_fdI?feature=oembed
Ahly will still be elated with the final result as they moved level on nine points with Pyramids FC, the only other team to bag maximum points from their opening three matches. Zamalek, whose 25-match unbeaten run came to an end, are fifth on six points.
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