Al-Ittihad Alexandria moved closer to the relegation zone after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Petrojet in the eighth round of the Egyptian Premier League’s relegation playoffs.
The match, played at Alexandria Stadium on Monday, saw Petrojet capitalise on early momentum and maintain control for much of the contest, leaving Al-Ittihad with a steep challenge in their fight for survival.
Early strike sets the tone
Petrojet took the lead within the opening stages of the game, as Gabriel Chikodi found the net in the ninth minute. The early goal immediately placed Al-Ittihad under pressure, forcing the home side to chase the game for the remainder of the first half.
Despite attempts to respond, Al-Ittihad struggled to break through Petrojet’s defensive structure before the interval, leaving the visitors in control heading into the second half.
Petrojet extend advantage
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Petrojet continuing to threaten on the counterattack. Their persistence paid off in the 65th minute, when Badr Moussa doubled the lead.
At 2-0 down, Al-Ittihad faced an increasingly difficult task, needing at least two goals to salvage a point. The deficit highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities that have troubled the team throughout the relegation stage.
Late response falls short
Al-Ittihad managed to pull a goal back in the closing stages through Mahmoud Alaa, who scored in the 84th minute. The late effort offered a glimmer of hope for the home supporters, but time ultimately ran out before a comeback could be completed.
The final whistle confirmed a damaging defeat for the Alexandria side, further complicating their position in the standings.
Standings reflect growing pressure
Following the result, Al-Ittihad remains in 10th place in the relegation playoff standings with 28 points. The outcome leaves the team hovering dangerously close to the drop, with limited margin for error in upcoming fixtures.
Petrojet, by contrast, climbs to fifth place with 37 points, strengthening its position and easing immediate relegation concerns.
Survival battle intensifies
The defeat underscores the mounting pressure on Al-Ittihad as the relegation phase progresses. While there were signs of resilience in their late goal, the overall performance highlighted the challenges facing the squad.
With only a handful of matches remaining, the margin for recovery is narrowing. For Al-Ittihad, improvements in both defence and finishing will be crucial if they are to avoid being drawn further into the relegation “whirlpool” and secure their place in the top flight.
