Zamalek's Hamada Tolba (R) scored a crucial equaliser in the dying minutes (Zamalek's official Facebook page)
A last gasp goal from defender Hamada Tolba rescued Zamalek from conceding their first defeat under the guidance of Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam.
The young coach, who replaced Marcos Paqueta after the Brazilian was sacked last month, led Zamalek to four consecutive wins before they were held to a 1-1 draw by resilient Smouha at Cairo's Petrosport stadium on Sunday.
Forward Amr El-Monoufi scored for Smouha in the 33rd minute of the game but veteran defender Hamada Tolba scored a rare goal to level the score at injury time, shortly after his teammate Ahmed Dwidar wasted a penalty four minutes from time.
Following Sunday's draw, Zamalek now lie second in the league table with 31 points, just one point behind leaders Ahly who defeated Ittihad of Alexandria on Saturday. Ahly and Zamalek clash in the anticipated Cairo derby on 9 February.
Two wasted chances
Zamalek made a good start to the game but squandered two goal scoring opportunities in the first seven minutes.
Following a one-two with strike partner Bassem Morsi, Zamalek's forward Mahmoud Kahraba was clear but his close-range shot was denied by Smouha keeper El-Mahdi Soliman.
Winger Moustafa Fathi made a good follow but defender Sherif Hazem cleared the ball off the line in the fourth minute of the game.
Three minutes later the international keeper saved his side again after denying Bassem Morsi's close range shot.
The Zamalek striker, who has failed to find the net since his double against Ahly in the Egypt Cup final last season, received a nice pass from Moustafa Fathi but his effort was easily denied by the keeper.
Zamalek's defensive midfielder Tarek Hamed sustained a muscle injury in the 20th minute, making way for Nigerian midfielder Maarouf Yussuf.
Hamed's exit gave Smouha the opportunity to produce some attacks given the poor performance of the Nigerian midfielder and midfielder partner Mohamed Koffi during the game.
Striker Hani El-Egeizi was close to opening the scoring but his effort went wide, before striker Hossam Paolo squandered another opportunity when he skipped past Zamalek defender Ali Gabr but his effort also went astray.
In their third attempt, Smouha succeeded in cementing their domination, thanks to Amr El-Monoufi who received a nice pass from Ahmed Temsah to score from close range.
The second half was completely dominated by Zamalek but players failed to create any goal scoring opportunities.
The last ten minutes was full of excitement as the defending champions intensified their attacks in order to level the score and pacy winger Moustafa Fathi was awarded a penalty four minutes from time but specialist Ahmed Dwidar failed to cement it with his shot soaring over the bar.
Three minutes later defender Hamada Tolba met a cross from Moustafa Fathi with a fine header to level the score.
Mohamed Ibrahim was close to scoring the winner at injury time but his shot also went wide.
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