Al-Masry’s difficult start to the Egyptian League season continued with a 2-1 defeat by Suez Petrojet, while Al-Ittihad Alexandria strengthened their position near the top of the table with a second successive victory.
The fourth round of the competition produced a series of significant results, including another setback for Al-Masry following the departure of coach Emad El Nahhas.
Al-Ittihad began the round with a narrow 1-0 home victory over newly promoted Petrojet Assiut. The decisive moment came in the 74th minute when winger Nour Alaa found the net to give Hamza Al-Jamal’s side all three points.
The victory moved Al-Ittihad to seven points and fifth place in the standings.
Petrojet Assiut, managed by Ahmed Abdel-Maqsoud, remain deep in the table with only two points from their opening four matches and sit 17th.
Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Sobhi Suleiman was named player of the match and said the club’s ambitions extend beyond their current position.
The goalkeeper said the team wanted to reward the supporters who had continued to back them and insisted that Al-Ittihad had yet to achieve its objectives for the season.
He added that the club’s target was to finish among the league’s top four.
Suleiman also revealed that although he had received a Man of the Match award before during his career, this was his first such recognition this season.
Al-Qanah and Tala’ea share points
There was little to separate Al-Qanah and Tala’ea as the sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia.
Nigerian forward Mawli Wayu put Al-Qanah ahead shortly before half-time, scoring in the 44th minute.
Tala’ea responded after the break, with Islam Mohareb equalising in the 67th minute.
Al-Qanah thought they had taken the lead again when Hazem Abu Sunna scored in the 60th minute, but the goal was ruled out by the referee.
The result leaves Al-Qanah on six points in seventh place. Tala’ea, meanwhile, moved to seven points and occupy fourth position under coach Jumaa Mashhour.
Al-Qanah are back in the Egyptian top flight under coach Abdel Nasser Mohamed and have made a competitive start to their return.
Osama Faisal leads Al Ahly Bank victory
At Cairo Stadium, Al Ahly Bank claimed an emphatic 3-1 victory against Ghazl El Mahalla, with Osama Faisal producing the standout performance.
Faisal scored twice to put Al Ahly Bank in control, while Ahmed Yasser Rayyan also found the net.
Ghazl El Mahalla managed a response through striker Abdo Yahya, but it was not enough to prevent another defeat.
The result lifted Al Ahly Bank’s points total to six.
For Ghazl El Mahalla, the situation is becoming increasingly concerning. The club remain on just one point, leaving coach Ahmed Khattab facing the possibility of losing his position.
Abdel Hamid Bassiouni has emerged as a leading candidate to replace him if the club decides to make a change.
Al-Masry’s problems deepen
The most damaging result of the round came for Al-Masry, who were beaten 2-1 by Suez Petrojet at the New Suez Stadium.
Mostafa El Badry and Ahmed Bahbah scored for Suez Petrojet, while Salah Mohsen got Al-Masry’s goal.
The defeat adds to concerns surrounding Al-Masry after the sudden departure of Emad El Nahhas. Ahmed Sami has since taken charge, but the change in the dugout has yet to produce an improvement in results.
Al-Masry’s management responded to the latest setback by suspending the players’ financial dues.
The club also issued a final warning that further penalties would follow if the team’s poor results continued.
The defeat means Al-Masry must now find a way to reverse their fortunes quickly, with the pressure increasing following another disappointing league performance.
While Al-Ittihad are gaining momentum and looking towards a top-four finish, the contrasting fortunes of Al-Masry and Ghazl El Mahalla have made the opening rounds increasingly difficult for both clubs.
With the season still in its early stages, the fourth round has nevertheless highlighted the growing gap between teams building momentum and those already under pressure to change their fortunes.
