Defender Mohamed Abdul-Wahab scored what proved to be the winner for the Egyptian champions from a 40th minute free-kick.

Al-Hodoud were reduced to ten-men after Mohamed Halim was sent-off in the 55th minute.

Meanwhile in the Cairo Stadium, goalkeeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef saved a penalty and converted the decisive one to hand Zamalek a 4-2 win over Ismaili.

Zamalek took the lead as early as the 3rd minute when Mahmoud Mahmoud towered to a corner-kick to head home before Ahmed Fathi equalized for Ismaili in the 14th minute.

Alaa Abdul-Ghani squandered a chance to win the game for Zamalek in regular time but his spot-kick was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Mohamed Fathi to send the game to over time and penalties.

The Egyptian Cup final will take place in the Cairo Stadium on Friday.

It will be the fifth time the two rivals face-off this season, a rare occurrence.