Ismaily players (Photo:Reuters)
Ismaily’s chance to advance to the mini-league was left hanging by a thread after they lost to relegated Menya 3-2 on Monday.
The Dervishes were hoping to keep the pressure on Petrojet at the top of the group, but instead they remain in fourth place, three points off group leaders Petrojet and a point behind second-placed Ittihad El-Shorta, who still have a match in hand.
Ismaily's defender Saleh Moussa gave his side an early lead after 10 minutes, but Menya’s striker Islam Roushdi responded with the equaliser seven minutes later.
Karim Moustapha made it two for Menya after scoring the second goal 10 minutes after the break, while Ismaily’s midfielder Amr El-Soulaya scored the equaliser one minute later.
Menya’s midfielder then stunned Ismaily by scoring the winner in the 78th minute of the game.
Ismaily will be in a must-win situation in their next match against group leaders Petrojet if they hope to secure a place in the mini-league.
The winners and runners-up in both Groups A and B will qualify for the mini-league to decide the league champion.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: