Zamalek coach unhappy with players despite win

Mahmoud Elassal, Sunday 4 Mar 2012

Shehata criticises team for underestimating opponents and not following his instructions during 1-0 victory over Young Africans on Saturday

Shehata
El Zamalek coach Hassan Shehata (Photo: Reuters)

Zamalek coach Hassan Shehata was dissatisfied with his players' performance during their 1-0 win over Tanzanian side Young Africans on Saturday.

The match – played behind closed doors at the Military Stadium in Cairo – was in the second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

“My players didn’t follow my instructions because they thought it would be an easy match,” Shehata told a television program.

“They underestimated the game and felt that they could snatch the win at any time.

“Young African's players looked like scoring at any time due to my players’ recklessness.”

The 62-year-old praised the performance of striker Ahmed Hossam “Mido” who netted the only goal to take Zamalek through to the round of 32.

“Mido still has more to achieve with Zamalek as it’s his first appearance after a lengthy absence.”

Mido looked in good physical shape after losing around 11 kilograms as he tried to defy critics who questioned Zamalek’s decision to sign him in January last year.

Striker Ahmed Ga’far claimed that wining the game was more important than a good performance.

“I hoped we would score more than goal but our mission was to keep a clean sheet,” Ga’far said.

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