Defending champions Zamalek reached the Egypt Cup quarter-final after securing a 2-1 victory over lowly Ghazl El-Mahalla at Cairo Stadium on Saturday. Zamalek looked to be cruising to an easy win over the unfancied Mahalla following two first-half goals from striker Ahmed Ali and Mauritanian forward Dominique da Silva. However, Mahalla, who were relegated to the second division this season, pulled one back with eight minutes remaining to set up a nervy ending to the game but Zamalek held onto their slender lead to go through. Zamalek got in front three minutes past the hour mark when ex-Ismaily front man Ali headed home Mohamed Abdel-Shafy's cross from the left before Dominique doubled the scoring from the spot on the stroke of halftime. Mahalla, nevertheless, refused to exit the competition without even scoring a goal, with midfielder Moataz Mahrous pulling one back eight minutes from the end. Zamalek, who largely relied on fringe players in the game, will face Haras El-Hodoud in the last eight after the army-owned club overcame ENPPI on penalties. The White Knights have a crunch encounter against arch-foes Ahly in the league's final round next Saturday. (For more sports newsandupdates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/104351.aspx
