Egyptian giants and Orange CAF Champions League title holders Ahly qualified to this year’s semi final after thrashing compatriots and arch rivals Zamalek 4-2 in the penultimate group A match day played at Gouna stadium Sunday afternoon. Victory raised Ahly’s tally to 10 points to go first in the group and guarantee their semi final spot regardless of the final match day results, while Zamalek lost all their qualification hopes. Zamalek took the lead through Omar Gaber after just 4 minutes, only for Ahly to reply with two quick goals via Waleed Suleiman (9) and Ahmed Abdul Zaher (15). After the break Ahly added two more goals through Mohamed Abu Treika (52) and Ahmed Fathy (79), while Ahmed Hassan reduced the deficit for the white Knights 8 minutes from time. Like all the Egyptian derby matches, the game was an open exciting one, with Ahly having the lion share of possession and chances especially in the first half. Zamalek tried to return to the game in the second half but Ahly’s goalkeeper Sherif Ikramy heroics and the Reds players experience and clinical finishing guaranteed their victory. The game started on a high note with 3 goals in the first 15 minutes. Zamalek made use of Ahly’s attacking start to make a quick counter attack. Mahmoud Abdul Razek “Shikabala” made a long pass to Omar Gaber who sent the ball beyond Ikramy to put Zamalek head after 4 minutes. Ahly replied fast to equalize after just five minutes when Suleiman had a long ball from Hossam Ahsour to go round Zamalek defenders and fire the ball inside Zamalek’s net with keeper Abdul Wahed El Sayed only watching. After 15 minutes and from a corner kick Ahmed Fathy sent a calling cross, and Abdu Zaher’s header wronged El Sayed to give Ahly the lead. Ahly kept dominating, and should have added a third soon after, but Abdullah El Said’s curling shot rebounded from the crossbar at the half hour mark. Three minutes later Suleiman fed Abu Treika with a through pass, and the later’s shot was brilliantly stopped by El Sayed. Zamalek replied with Abdel Malek’s shot but Ikramy produced another fine save. The first half ended with Ahly leading 2-1. After the break Zamalek tried to find the equalizer, but it was Ahly who added their third goal after 51 minutes. El Said’s long pass was flicked by Suleiman’s back heel to find Abu Treika whose half-volley went home. This was Abu Treika’s 13th derby goal to claim himself as the all time top scorer. Zamalek fielded in Hazem Emam and Mohamed Ibrahim for Abdel Malek and Ahmed Samir in their search for a comeback. But Ikramy continued his brilliance to save Ahmed Gaafar’s header and Shikabala’s long range effort. As Zamalek was attacking, Ahly players had numerous passes before Suleiman found Ahmed Fathy who had a beautiful curling shot inside El Sayed’s net for Ahly 4th after 71 minutes. Ahly manager Mohamed Youssef made a couple of changes with Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” and Mauritanian Dominique Da Silva replacing Suleiman and Abdul Zaher. Da Silva almost had an immediate impact but his shot went just wide. Zamalek’s substitute Ahmed Hassan reduced the deficit 8 minutes from time 8 minutes from time when he made use of a rebounded ball to head home from close range. Ahly brought in Ahmed Qenawy for Abu Treika, and Da Silva should have added a fifth goal but for Zamalek’s El Sayed. The game ebded with Ahly winning 4-2 and qualifying to the semi final, while Zamalek had to wait for another year to try to surpass the group stage.