Zamalek duo Juan Alvina and Chico Banza celebrate after the latter scored the second goal for his side in the 2-1 win over Modern Sport at Suez Canal Satdim on Thursday. Photo: Zamalek's official X account.
Alvina opened the scoring for the White Knights early in the first half. Angolan winger Chico Banza doubled the score early in the second half, but a blunder by defender Mahmoud ‘El-Wensh’ Hamdi gave the hosts a consolation goal.
Zamalek coach Yannick Ferrera fielded a new-look frontline featuring summer signings Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh, Banza, and Alvina, who made his debut in Saturday’s draw against Arab Contractors and showed glimpses of his dribbling brilliance.
From the outset, the White Knights pressed forward seeking an early goal, controlling the tempo and possession and preventing Modern Sport from crossing the center of the field. The early pressure paid off when Alvina scored.
In the 12th minute, Abdallah El-Said set Alvina up on the right flank. The Brazilian controlled the ball, then cut inside to fire a left-footed shot into the top right corner past goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal.
Four minutes later, Alvina nearly doubled the score, but his left-footed shot from close range was saved.
After the goal, Modern Sport gradually began to exchange attacks with Zamalek. However, their frontline failed to pose a real threat to goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi.
Modern Sport’s first dangerous attempt came in the 21st minute when defender Mahmoud Rezk headed the ball from close range following a free kick, but his header missed narrowly to the right.
Both teams tried to control the game, but the play was limited in midfield as neither team created dangerous chances.
Entertaining second half
Zamalek continued their pressure in the second half in an attempt to secure the victory, which came early. Just three minutes after the break, Alvina received the ball on the right side and sent a brilliant cross to Chico Banza, who scored with a right-footed shot from close range. Goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal failed to clear the ball, which slipped between his legs.
Four minutes later, Modern Sport coach Magdy Abdel-Aaty reshuffled his frontline, introducing Rashad El-Metwaly, Ghanam Mohamed, and Adem Redjem for Abdel-Rahman Osama, Mohamed Helal, and Mohamed Mossad, which paid off.
In the 56th minute, midfielder Nasser Maher could have secured the victory for Zamalek following a fast break after receiving a long pass from goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhi, but his shot from the left side missed to the right.
Two minutes later, Zamalek defender Mahmoud ‘El-Wensh’ scored an own goal when he tried to clear the ball following a header by defender Ali El Fil.
At the hour mark, second-half substitute Ghannam Mohamed forced Zamalek goalkeeper Sobhi to produce a brilliant save with a one-time rocket from outside the box.
In the 63rd minute, Ferrera infused new energy into his squad by fielding trio Adam Kaied, Nasser Mansi, and Nabil ‘Donga’ Emad for Chico Banza, Oday Dabbagh, and Mohamed Shehata.
Modern Sport controlled the game in the latter stages, making numerous dangerous attempts to equalize, but their players failed to create clear-cut opportunities, while Zamalek relied on fast counterattacks.
In the dying minutes of the game, Zamalek pressed forward in an attempt to score and secure the game, but their forwards failed to convert their chances.
With this result, Zamalek climbed to second place in the league standings with seven points, level with table-toppers Masry, while Modern Sport dropped to ninth place with four points.
Next, Zamalek will host Pharco FC on Tuesday, while Modern Sport will face last season’s runners-up Pyramids FC a day earlier.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: