Al Ahly secure 3-2 win over Haras El Hodoud in Egyptian Premier League

Al Ahly claimed a 3-2 victory over Haras El Hodoud in the eighth round of the Egyptian Premier League at the Military Academy Stadium on Tuesday.

The defending champions moved up to 12 points from seven matches as they continue their pursuit of consistency in the domestic campaign.

Al Ahly started aggressively and broke the deadlock early through Slovenian striker Nejc Gradisar, who fired home a powerful strike from outside the box in the third minute.

The chance was initiated by a long ball from Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan into the penalty area. Although Haras El Hodoud’s defense initially cleared it, the ball fell kindly to Gradišar, who made no mistake. Despite continued pressure from the Cairo giants, Haras El Hodoud responded quickly.

In the eighth minute, Mohamed Hamdy Zaki leveled the score, meeting a left-wing cross with a precise left-footed strike past goalkeeper Mahmoud El-Zanfaly.

Al Ahly reorganized their lines and created several chances, particularly through crosses from Mohamed Hany and Hussein El-Shahat.

Midfielder Marwan Ateya tested El-Zanfaly with a powerful effort in the 17th minute, but the keeper was equal to it.

In the 34th minute, Hany sent in another dangerous cross, which Taher Mohamed Taher attempted to finish with an acrobatic scissor kick, only to send it over the bar.

Al Ahly were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the first half after Yassin Marei was fouled inside the box.

Trezeguet stepped up and calmly converted from the spot, giving his side a 2-1 lead heading into the break.

Haras El Hodoud equalized once again eight minutes after the restart. Defender Islam Abou-Salima latched onto a corner and fired in from close range to make it 2-2.

In response, Ahly coach Emad El-Nahas introduced winger Achraf Bencharki and striker Mohamed Sherif in an attempt to revive the attack.

The winning goal came in the 79th minute. Trezeguet unleashed a fierce shot that crashed off the left post, and defender Yasser Ibrahim was quickest to the rebound, slotting home into an empty net to seal all three points.

Ahly will next face rivals Zamalek in the highly anticipated Cairo derby on 29 September at Cairo International Stadium.