Zamalek lose in league opener

السبت، 05 أغسطس 2006 - 00:09

كتب : Hatem Maher

Zamalek slumped to a surprising 1-0 home defeat against Ghazl Mahalla in their Egyptian League opener on Friday.

Amr Sobhi's last-gasp strike earned Mahalla a shocking victory in their League opener.

Mahalla are in seventh place after they snatched their first three points while Zamalek, yet to open their account, lie in 13th spot.

The ball was included totally in midfield during the first half, as both sides failed to create clear scoring opportunities.

Zamalek's first chance was in the 17th minute when striker Gamal Hamza sent a low drive from the edge of the area but it went just wide.

One minute before the break, Zamalek captain Hazem Emam darted from the midfield before firing over the bar.

Zamalek started the second-half with a more attacking approach, keeping Mahalla's keeper Ibrahim Farag busy.

In the 50th minute, Youssef Hamdi raced down the right flank and sidestepped a Mahalla defender inside the area before shooting wide.

Mahalla launched their first attack one minute after the hour mark as Sayed Amer rounded two defenders inside the area but his shot failed to find the net.

Shortly after, Farag was brought into action when he blocked Wael Al-Qabani's acrobatic effort after being fed by Hamdi.

Sobhi scored a stunning winner in the stoppage time when he received Al-Bassiouni Mahmoud's back pass inside the area and drilled a low shot past helpless keeper Wael Zenga.

Elsewhere, Ismaili kicked-off their League campaign with a 3-0 thrashing win over Masri at home.

Former Zamalek player Mohamed Abdul-Wahed and Mohamed Fadl scored two penalties in the sixth and 33rd minutes before Mohamed Soliman 'Homos' completed the rout in the 58th minute.

In other match, Suez Cement edged newly-promoted side Tersana 2-1.

Mohamed Adel put Suez ahead in the 18th minute before Mohamed Al-Fayoumi doubled the lead in the 37th minute.

Medhat Ramadan pulled one back from the penalty spot five minutes before the interval.

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