Egyptian giants Ahly recovered from an opening defeat to secure an easy 2-0 victory over 10-man Al-Wahda of UAE on Tuesday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Arab Championship semis.
The Red Devils produced a vivid attacking display amid little resistance from Al-Wahda, who played with 10 men for the last half an hour after Khalil Al Hammadi was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Midfielder Amr Barakat, who has made a few appearances since joining last January, scored his first goal for Ahly in the first half to put them ahead and summer arrival Islam Mohareb marked his debut with a goal late in the game to ensure the win.
Any other result would have practically ended Ahly s hopes of booking a last-four berth after they slumped to a surprising 1-0 defeat by Jordan s Al-Faisaly in their opening match on Saturday.
Al-Faisaly top the group with maximum six points from two matches after defeating Algeria s NA Hussein Dey, who have three points, 1-0 earlier in the day.
The winners of each of the three groups will advance to the semis along with the best second-placed side.
Electrifying start
Ahly made an electrifying start, wasting several clear-cut chances in the first quarter of an hour.
Skipper Hossam Ghaly had a near-post header denied by the bar following a corner after nine minutes and Ahly could have gone ahead on other occasions had it not been for some poor finishing touches.
Winger Ahmed Hamoudi was Ahly s liveliest performer, wreaking havoc down the right and whipping in some dangerous low crosses.
The breakthrough finally came on 32 minutes when Barakat s beautiful curler from inside the area beat the poorly-positioned keeper at his near post.
Ahly remained in control in the second half but Al-Wahda were somewhat dangerous on the break.
The visitors spurned their best chance early in the second period when Mohamed Al Shehhi blasted a shot over the crossbar when well positioned to score.
But Al-Wahda barely mounted any threats following the dismissal of Al Hammadi.
Ahly s new arrival Islam Mohareb, who joined from Smouha, came off the bench and quickly left his mark with a goal, firing home into an empty net following a lay-off from Ghaly six minutes from time.
