Masry, the hosts of an ill-tempered game in 2012 that marked Egypt's worst-ever football disaster, ended a self-imposed exile but were pegged back by a fresher Zamalek side in Wednesday's 2-0 Premier League defeat.
The coastal club skipped last season's league competition, which was cancelled just before the final playoff, to avoid stirring tensions with the die-hard supporters of Ahly after the February 2012 Port Said tragedy left over 70 visiting fans dead.
They are back to the top flight this term but their presence reignited security concerns, prompting the Egyptian Football Association to decide to stage all their home and away games in the northern city of Suez.
Masry had to thank goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawy for producing some flying saves but Zamalek were worthy winners after scoring two late goals.
Ahmed Eid converted a penalty on 70 minutes and substitute striker Ahmed Ali finished off a breakaway with five minutes remaining to help depleted Zamalek to an opening win as they aim to win their first league title since 2004.
The match took place at a tiny Suez stadium behind closed doors; with the crowd ban expected to at least last until the halfway stage of the season.
El-Shennawy, who barely played during a one-year loan stint with Zamalek, pulled off a string of impressive saves to thwart the Cairo side in a first half that saw Masry completely outplayed.
Despite the absence of several key players, including influential forwards Shikabala and Mohamed Ibrahim, Zamalek looked the livelier side, thanks to their recent participation in the Egypt Cup that somewhat kept them fresh.
El-Shennawy denied Zamalek midfielder Ahmed Tawfik in a one-on-one situation before superbly tipping over a curling shot by Omar Gaber from inside the area.
He also palmed away several piledrivers but was powerless to prevent Zamalek from going ahead in the 70th minute when Eid's penalty went in off the post after Masry's Hesham Abdel-Raouf was harshly adjudged to have handled a cross.
Ali wrapped up the victory when ran onto a through pass to break clear after a swift counter attack. He rounded the keeper and slotted home from a tight angle to give the Egypt Cup winners an opening victory.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: