We will play against Zamalek to win: Ismaily coach Ihab Galal

Mahmoud Elassal , Thursday 12 Aug 2021

'We will concentrate so that we can win every game; any discussion [to the contrary] is nonsense, and that is all what I will say on this point,' Ismaily coach Ihab Galal said

Ihab Galal
Ismaily coach Ihab Galal after the match with Al-Ahly on Wednesday, August 11,2021. Photo courtesy of Ismaily Facebook page

Ismaily coach Ihab Galal announced that he will do his best to win the game against his former club Zamalek in the 30th matchday of the Egyptian Premier League on Saturday, refuting any reports that say his team will not be able to replicate their impressive performance during the 1-1 draw against Ahly on Wednesday in the showdown with the White Knights.

Ahly’s league title hopes were dealt a potentially fatal blow after being held to a 1-1 draw by Ismaily at Alexandria stadium on Wednesday, with perennial Cairo rivals Zamalek scheduled to take on the Dervishes on Saturday.

With five matches remaining, Egyptian Premier League title holders Ahly are now second on the league table with 65 points, two points behind leaders Zamalek, who have 67 points.

“I will play to win against Zamalek, as I don’t humour the thought of any other outcome,” Galal told a television programme after suspending Ahly’s run in the race for the league title with the Whites.

“We will concentrate so that we can win every game; any discussion [to the contrary] is nonsense, and that is all what I will say on this point,” the former Zamalek coach added.

“We intended to finish the league in an advanced ranking; we drew our tactics to win the game against Ahly and they did the same, but the teams held to 1-1 draw,” he continued.

“Ismaily players gain confidence with every game they play, and that is a positive result.”

Ismaily flirted with relegation at one point this season, but the arrival of coach Ihab Galal turned their fortunes around. They lie in 11th place on the 18-team table at 37 points, eleven points above the danger zone.

The Dervishes signed former Zamalek coach Ihab Galal to replace Bosnian tactician Dragan Jovic after he resigned last March.

Nomadic coach Galal coached Maqassa for 3 seasons from 2014 to 2017 before spending some time with Enppi and Zamalek during the 2017-18 season.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)

Short link: