Al-Ahli vs Al-Ittihad of Alexandria.. Mahdi Soliman wins Man of the Match award in Egyptian League
Al-Ittihad Alexandria goalkeeper Al-Mahdi Soliman earned the Man of the Match award in the game against Al-Ahly. The match ended in a 1-1 draw during the third round of the Premier League Championship.
Al-Ahly’s Amr El-Sulia scored first, converting a penalty kick in the 66th minute after a foul by Al-Ittihad’s defense. Al-Ittihad Alexandria responded late in the match. Beckley van Derek scored in the 88th minute, securing a crucial point for his team.
How does Al-Ittihad Alexandria plan to improve their defensive strategy after the draw with Al-Ahly?
Interview with Al-Ittihad Alexandria Goalkeeper Al-Mahdi Soliman Following Draw Against Al-Ahly
In an exclusive interview, we sat down with Al-Ittihad Alexandria’s goalkeeper Al-Mahdi Soliman, who recently earned the Man of the Match award for his outstanding performance in the thrilling 1-1 draw against Al-Ahly.
Interviewer: Al-Mahdi, congratulations on being named Man of the Match! How does it feel to receive that honor in such a high-stakes game?
Al-Mahdi Soliman: Thank you! It feels great to be recognized, but the most important thing for me is that we secured a crucial point. Playing against a team like Al-Ahly is always challenging, and my focus was on helping the team.
Interviewer: You faced a penalty from Al-Ahly’s Amr El-Sulia that opened the scoring. Can you walk us through that moment?
Al-Mahdi Soliman: In that moment, I tried to read El-Sulia’s body language and anticipate where he might place the ball. Unfortunately, he got it past me, but I knew I had to keep my head up and stay focused for the rest of the match.
Interviewer: Al-Ittihad came back strong in the final minutes with Beckley van Derek’s equalizer. What was the team’s mindset as the clock was winding down?
Al-Mahdi Soliman: Our mentality was to never give up. Even when we were down, we believed in our ability to score. The team showed incredible spirit, and Beckley delivered a brilliant goal at a crucial moment. It was a perfect reflection of our persistence.
Interviewer: With this result, Al-Ittihad Alexandria is tied with Al-Ahly and Pyramid in points. How does this affect your confidence for the remainder of the season?
Al-Mahdi Soliman: It’s early in the season, but being in such a competitive position gives us a lot of confidence. We know we can take points off any team in the league, and the draw against Al-Ahly reinforces that belief. We’ll keep pushing for consistency and aim for the top.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what will be your focus in training this week?
Al-Mahdi Soliman: We need to work on our defensive organization to prevent situations like the penalty we conceded. Also, we’ll analyze our attacking plays to enhance our chances in upcoming matches. Every detail counts in a tight race like this one.
Interviewer: Thank you for your insights, Al-Mahdi. Best of luck in your next matches!
Al-Mahdi Soliman: Thank you! I appreciate your support and hope to see our fans at the stadium for the next game. Together, we’ll keep fighting for the best results.
This result positions Al-Ahly at the top of the Egyptian league standings with 7 points. Al-Ittihad Alexandria sits in third place, with the same point total as Al-Ahly and Pyramid. The match took place at Al-Salam Stadium.