Ahly came back from a goal down to chalk up a 3-1 victory over last season's Egyptian league runners-up, Smouha at Alexandria Stadium on Thursday.

The Reds had went into the dressing rooms at the half one goal down, courtesy of a free-kick goal from Smouha's Ahmed Shokry.

But a defining moment in the game saw ex-Ahly right-back Ahmed Nabil 'Manga' receive his marching orders for a second bookable offense, as all the visitors goals came through the opposition's right flank.

Center forward Ahmed Abdel-Zaher restored parity one minute from the hour mark, before strike partner Emad Meteb, who scored the precious winner against Sewe Sport to claim the CAF Confederation Cup earlier this week, put his side ahead at the 75th minute.

Mahmoud Hassan 'Trezeguet' then put the result beyond doubt five minutes later with a curling effort from inside the box to give Ahly a vital win.

The win lifted Ahly, who still have five games in hand, to seventh place as Smouha remained in 13th.  

Ahly fall behind

Ahly were relatively the better side in the opening stages, with full-back Bassem Aly and winger Trezeguet often combining on the right – albeit with no real threat.

But the first highlight of the half came after 17 minutes, which saw the hosts take the lead through a free-kick goal from Shokry, who beat keeper Mosaad Awad at the near post, following a foul on ex-Zamalek midfielder Alaa Ali near the edge of the box.

The Cairo side bossed possession after falling behind but struggled to trouble former Ismaily keeper Mohamed Sobhi.

Shortly thereafter, fit-again Abdallah El-Saied had wasted a promising free kick on the hour-mark, Smouha almost punished their opponents when Ibrahim Abdel-Khalek broke clear before keeper Awad came out to thwart him.

Manga sent off, Ahly comeback

Just two minutes into the second half, Smouha had a chance to double their lead after center-back Sherif Abdel-Fadil conceded possession inside the box before Hesham Fathallah struck into the keeper's hands.

But five minutes later, Manga – who was one of Smouha's main attacking outlets – was shown red after collecting a second yellow card following an alleged foul on Trezeguet.

And it didn't take Ahly so long to capitalize on their numerical advantage and bring the score level when full-back Hussein El-Sayed ran onto a great through-ball down the left before his cross hit Abdul-Zaher's shoulder on the rebound.

Ahly continued dictating play in an attempt to take the lead, which finally came 15 minutes from time when Trezeguet ran onto the left hand-side of the area before seeing his cross hit a defender as Meteb made no mistake from point-blank range.  

And Trezeguet was finally rewarded with six minutes remaining when his curling shot from inside the area found the far corner of the net as Ahly secured all three points. 

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