Al Ahly failed to close gaps as the Red Devils dropped points with 0-0 draw against relegation-threatened Eastern Company on Wednesday.

The Cairo giants lost ground in their battle with Pyramids FC to finish second in the Egyptian Premier League as Zamalek is in pole position to secure a second consecutive league crown.

The draw will increase pressure on Portuguese coach Ricardo Soares, whose position is under scrutiny even though he has been in the job for less than two months.

He will need to show his credentials in Ahly’s final four league games if he is to remain at the helm next season.

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“We must continue to work with young players who need to gain confidence to raise their level.” Ricardo Soares said in the press conference after the game.

“I am happy with the effort from the players. But I am disappointed we did not get the win. But there are a lot of positives to take away from the game.

“We are on the right track. But we must be more aggressive in front of goal and we will certainly work on our finishing.”

“I am happy to be here, and I have put interests of the club before my own, so that the team can return to winning trophies in the future.” He added.

Ahly, who showed relative improvement lately after winning two successive games, are third in the table with 63 points, two behind Pyramids FC and nine adrift of Cairo rivals Zamalek.

Eastern Company lie 15th in the 18-team table with 29 points, one ahead of Gouna in the last relegation spot, although the latter have a game in hand.