Zamalek lose to Eastern Company in final Egyptian Premier League game (Photo: Zamalek's official Facebook page)
Zamalek's high-backline strategy backfired as Eastern Company threatened their inexperienced opponents far too easily.
Moudi Nasser put Eastern Company ahead on 26 minutes, pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of the area to send a bouncing volley past keeper Mohamed Nadeem.
Zamalek struggled to mount threats and fell further behind when Ahmed Hamzawi scored a fortuitous goal three minutes past the hour mark.
He skipped past his challenger on the right to jink into the area and fire a low shot that took a wicked deflection off defender Mohamed Hamdi to wrong-foot Nadeem.
Zamalek pulled one back in the 72nd minute when striker Hossam Ashraf side-footed an inviting low cross from winger Youssef Nabih from close range but the club could not find an equaliser.
The defeat extended Zamalek's winless run to three matches but it will do little to dampen their celebrations after they swept to an unlikely league triumph with three rounds to spare earlier this month.
They will be looking to complete a domestic double for the second straight season by winning the Egypt Cup.
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