Zamalek coach Mohamed Helmy has blamed bad luck for his side's 2-1 defeat Wednesday against El-Entag El-Harby in matchday 18 of the Egyptian Premier League.

"The team missed many chances and was unlucky against El-Entag," Helmy said in the post-match press conference.

The White Knights, who just won the Egypt Super Cup for the first time since 2003, defeating arch-rivals Ahly in a penalty shootout last weekend, were unorganised and sloppy against the Army-owned team.

Oumid Oukri scored the first goal for coach Shawky Gharib in the 22nd minute, before Tarek Taha captured the team's lead in the 34th. Hossam Salama scored for Zamalek only one minute before half-time.

Although the second half was one-sided, Zamalek could not translate their successive attacks into a goal thanks to a solid defense led by former Zamalek star Mahmoud Fathallah and former Ahly goalkeeper Amir Abdel-Hamid.

"Hossam Paulo missed a very good chance in the second half due to lack of luck," Helmy said.

With two games in hand, Zamalek remain third in the table with 34 points, while first-placed Ahly gained their 46th point in Wednesday's draw with Ismaily.

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