Ismaily SC secured a narrow but pivotal victory against Tala'a El-Gaish with a score of 1-0 in their recent Nile League matchup held on Thursday. This victory marks Ismaily's first win after eight consecutive matches without success, revitalizing their standing as they strive to avoid relegation.
Khaled Al-Nabreisi, the Palestinian striker for Ismaily, emerged as the hero of the evening by scoring the decisive goal just before the end of the match. Al-Nabreisi found the back of the net with a powerful header in the 86th minute, leaving Tala'a El-Gaish's goalkeeper, Mohamed Shaaban, with no chance to save it. This victory was particularly significant as it came during the first round of the relegation phase of the league.
Speaking to the media after the match, Al-Nabreisi expressed his gratitude to the fans, who showed up en masse to support the team. "A great victory dedicated to our great fans who supported us in the stadium," he stated, highlighting the importance of their unwavering support during this challenging period for the club.
The victory also marked the debut of Tamer Mostafa as the head coach of Ismaily. Having recently taken over from Mohamed Ibrahim, Mostafa’s tenure began with much-needed momentum against Tala'a El-Gaish, who are currently positioned second in the relegation phase with 21 points. Following this match, Ismaily climbed to sixth place with 17 points.
Ismaily's line-up showcased strategic selections for the match, relying on both experienced and younger players. The team's defense included Ahmed Adel Abdel Moneim as goalkeeper and featured defenders Marwan Hamdi, Abdel Karim Mostafa, Mohamed Naser, and Ibrahim Al-Nagaawi. The midfield was composed of Ali Al-Mellawani, Eric Traore, Hesham Mohamed, and Mohamed Khattab, supporting forwards Nader Farag and Abdel Rahman Al-Dah.
On the other hand, Tala'a El-Gaish’s starting lineup was led by Mohamed Shaaban, who manned the goalpost. The defense comprised Ahmed Meteb, Khaled Sattohi, Mohamed Fathallah, and Khaled Awad, supported by midfielders Ragab Omran, Ali Hamdi, Hamed Al-Jabari, Islam Mohareb, and Youssri Waheed, culminating with striker Goudawein Chika up front.
This victory allows Ismaily to return to the path of potential recovery, aiming to capitalize on this win to build momentum moving forward. Al-Nabreisi's confidence shone through when he noted, "Ismaily is always worthy of being among the elite; we will make our comeback." The player's optimism encapsulates the spirit within the team as they look to stabilize their performance heading deep within the season.
Nonetheless, the match also had its tense moments, particularly when Mohamed Naser of Ismaily received his marching orders with only seconds left on the clock, shown the red card during stoppage time. Such incidents reveal the competitive nature of the match and underline the stakes involved as teams strive for survival and strategic superiority.
Following this round of fixtures, both teams will need to regroup and reflect on their performances. For Ismaily, the focus will be on maintaining their newfound form under Mostafa's management, utilizing this win as a launching pad to greater successes as they face their next opponents. The match was not just about three points; it also rekindled hope among Ismaily’s faithful supporters, who passionately back their team through every twist of the season.
With the league entering more challenging rounds, every match is quintessential, especially for teams like Ismaily who aim to claw their way up from the relegation battle. Fans will be eagerly awaiting their next match as both on-field performances and strategic decisions take center stage.