Zamalek striker Ahmed Gaafar celebrates after scoring against Haras El-Hodoud
Zamalek came from a goal down to beat Haras El-Hodoud 2-1 on Thursday in Cairo in their first Egyptian Premier League game after a three-month forced break due to the January 25 revolution.
El-Hodoud got a stunning lead through Mohamed Al-Herda’s shot in the 4thminute but Ahmed Gaafar scored the equalizer two minutes before the break.
The league leaders surged forward after the goal and took the full points of the game after an 81stminute strike from Ashour El-Adham.
Zamalek have opened a five-point gap at the top ahead of second-placed Ismaily and six points ahead of defending champions Ahly.
The action started early as Al-Herda fired a 40-yard ball that went into the top corner to put Haras El-Hodoud in the lead after only 4 minutes.
Zamalek gained possession afterwards and could have restored parity on a couple of occasions but Ivorian striker Abou Kone’s failed to capitalize on El-Hodoud’s defensive mistakes.
At the half hour mark, Alaa Ali crossed the ball in the six yard to Abou Kone who jumped for the header but the ball skimmed the bar.
The Whites finally got what they deserved in the 43rdminute when Ahmed Gaafar broke through the offside trap and slid the ball past keeper Ali Farag to grab the equalizer.
The end of the first half saw much of a drama as the referee Yasser Abdel-Raouf made a controversial decision by sending off Zamalek’s defender Amr Al-Safti – on a second booking – for simulation in the area but the TV replay showed he was righteously tackled.
Coach Hossam Hassan sent out his full attacking force as Mahmoud Abdel-Razek “Shikabala” and Hussein Yasser Al-Mohammadi came in at the beginning of the second half.
Despite their numerical disadvantage they kept a grip firm on the game blocking their visitors in their final third.
Inform-Gaafar was set up in the area by Al-Mohammadi and dribbled past his marker but a mis-hit shot went wide from the target.
A couple of minutes later he rose above the defence and executed an excellent header only to be denied by the post.
Ahmed Abdel-Ghani hit the hosts on the counter but his effort was brilliantly denied by keeper Abdel-Wahed Al-Sayed.
The 10-man lively Zamalek grabbed the winner in the 81stminute as keeper Ali Farag punched a cross wide only to find midfielder Ashour Al-Adham who volleyed it back into the empty nets from more than 30 yards.
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