In a dramatic high-profile international club friendly on Friday in Al Ain, Ahmed El Sheikh scored in the third minute of added time to blunt a 91st minute equaliser on as Cairo giants Al Ahly dealt a defeat to compatriot Mohamed Salah and Italian power club AS Roma.
The friendly, held at Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, saw goals from Roma stars Salah and Edin Dzeko before midfielder William Vainqueur scored to level 3-3 in the first minute of added time. Two minutes later, however, Ahly’s El Sheikh fired in for the winner.
• Read more: Egyptian rivals Al Ahly and Zamalek feel right at home in UAE
The Cairo club, winners of a record eight African Champions League titles, went ahead early on a goal from Ghana's John Antwi. Dzeko levelled on 20 minutes. Just before the half the sides traded blows again, with Salah firing Serie A third-place finishers Roma ahead with a 41st-minute strike, only for midfielder Moamen Zakaria to draw Ahly even again three minutes from the end of the period.
Walid Soliman put the Egyptian Premier League leaders ahead 15 minutes after the break, which lasted until the added time drama.
Ahly have enjoyed their sojourns to Al Ain in recent months. In October they defeated fierce rivals Zamalek 3-2 at the same venue to win the Egyptian Super Cup.
The friendly filled a lull in their league campaign, which has six fixtures remaining. With an eight-point edge at the top, they are close to reclaiming the domestic championship after Zamalek won it last season for the first break in Ahly’s dominance over Egypt in a decade.
Roma, fresh off qualifying for the Champions League play-off round, tweeted after the match, "Congratulations to @AlAhly on the win & thanks for a friendly match. Good luck from #AS Roma in your title race."
• WATCH: Abu Dhabi Sports TV highlights from the match, below:
Ahly 4-3 (Ahmed El Sheikh)
Roma 3-3 (William Vainqueur)
Ahly 3-2 (Walid Soliman)
Ahly 2-2 (Moamen Zakaria)
Roma 2-1 (Mohamed Salah)
Roma 1-1 (Edin Dzeko)
Ahly 1-0 (John Antwi)
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