Ahmed Shobier stunned by Al Ahly’s defensive display in draw with Al Qanah

Former Al Ahly goalkeeper Ahmed Shobier has strongly criticised the club’s players after their 3-3 draw with Al Qanah in the Egyptian Premier League on Wednesday.

Al Ahly were trailing 3-2 until the third minute of added time, when Morocco international Achraf Dari scored to rescue a point. The result prompted widespread anger among the club’s supporters and officials after a poor performance.

Speaking on radio, Shobier questioned Al Ahly’s approach at Cairo Stadium.

“Al Ahly were playing Al Qanah at Cairo Stadium. What would normally happen? Al Ahly should have pressed from the edge of the penalty area,” he said.

“But what was not normal was dropping back to the edge of their own half or even into their own half. Is Al Ahly a small team that has to defend after scoring a goal? It was something very strange.

“When the ball comes back from the defence or the goalkeeper, there is nobody to clear it and move forward. No, nothing happens. Everyone just stands there looking at each other.”

Shobier, who previously played in goal for Al Ahly, said he had been shocked by the team’s lack of intensity and concentration.

“I swear, I was watching the Al Ahly and Al Qanah match in a state of astonishment,” he said. “Al Ahly had no pressing, no spirit, no determination to win the ball back and not even enough concentration when passing.

“I praise Al Qanah for what they produced.”

He added that, in his view, Al Qanah had been the better side despite ending the match with only a draw.

“To be fair, Al Qanah lost two points rather than gained one,” Shobier said. “Yes, Al Ahly had more attacks and everything else, but they only scored the equaliser in the final two minutes.

“Al Qanah were the better team because they had fallen behind, came back once, then came back again and went 3-2 ahead.”

Shobier was particularly critical of the way Al Qanah scored their third goal. He said goalkeeper Mohamed Shaaban launched a long kick forward, with only Mohamed Hamdy Zaky from Al Qanah challenging among three Al Ahly defenders.

“The third goal for Al Qanah was beyond strange,” he said. “Mohamed Shaaban played the ball long from the goal and there was only one Al Qanah player, Mohamed Hamdy Zaky, who went for it among the defenders.

“One player against three. You are supposed to cover the situation so he cannot run through one-on-one. Instead, you continue and then score an own goal. What was that?

“Honestly, that is basic football, and it was nowhere to be seen.”