Zamalek team(Photo: Ahram)
Zamalek's perfect Egyptian Premier League run was dealt a major blow by Monday's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Alexandria's Ittihad.
Two late second-half goals by in-form Mohamed El-Morsi gave struggling Ittihad – which had faced the spectre of relegation after a string of poor results this season – a moral victory.
On the other side, the second defeat of the season added to the travails of the Cairo giants, who are currently facing financial woes making the future of Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira uncertain.
Despite the defeat, Zamalek – who had already secured their place in the final round of a new two-group league competition – remain atop Group B with 36 points. The Alex-based club, meanwhile, is second to last with 13 points – three away from the safety zone, with two matches remaining.
Zamalek players have lacked their attacking spirit in recent matches amid tight defences by hosts Ittihad.
Ittihad wasn't lucky enough to take an early lead, seeing a 14th-minute goal by striker Ahmed Abdallah disallowed for offside.
Veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan was close from scoring the opener after firing a brilliant free kick in the 21st minute that was denied by the bar.
Second half heats up
In a bid to recover and prove their worth, the Whites began piling on pressure at the second-half kickoff, but this didn't translate into a real threat for the second half's first 20 minutes.
Ittihad kept closing its defences, making attacks from time to time, bothering Zamalek goalkeeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed.
Ahmed Hassan posed a threat to the costal club in the 51st minute, firing a long ball only to strike the post.
In hopes of activating his team, Zamalek coach fielded winger Hazem Emam as a 68th-minute replacement for teammate Ahmed Hassan, but the move was in vain.
In the 78th minute, El-Morsi rose above the defences to meet a corner kick with a close-range shot, bringing Ittihad into the lead.
Two minutes later, a fatal error by defender Mahmoud Fathallah cost Zamalek any hope of a win, as he lost the ball to El-Morsi who successfully launched it into the net.
Zamalek, who are currently chasing their first league title since 2004, will play in the final mini-league alongside arch-rivals Ahly, who have already booked a place in the final phase.
Ahly currently lie at the top of Group A with 33 points, seven clear of second-placed ENNPI.
The top two teams in Groups A and B will qualify for the final round, where a mini-league with only home fixtures will determine the champion.
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