Zamalek stage remarkable comeback to keep lead intact

Zamalek score twice in stoppage time to overturn a one-goal deficit against Petrojet and secure remarkable league win

Zamalek notched two goals in stoppage time to claim a thrilling 2-1 victory over Petrojet to restore their six-point lead at the top of the Egyptian Premier League table on Wednesday.
Petrojet looked to be cruising to victory when midfielder Kamal Ali volleyed home a superb long ball from Mohamed Ibrahim with 14 minutes remaining.
Zamalek piled on pressure in the latter stages and managed to turn the tables on Petrojet in thrilling fashion, thanks to two last-gasp goals from midfielder Hassan Mostafa and striker Ahmed Gaafar, who was guilty of missing golden chances early in the game.
Coach Hossam Hassan ran down the touchline in ecstasy as leaders Zamalek, who eye their first league crown since 2004, held onto their six-point advantage over second-placed and arch-rivals Ahly.
It was the second stern test the White Knights pass following the league's resumption after claiming a hard-fought victory over Harras El-Hodoud with the same scoreline last week.
Evenly-balanced
The first half was an evenly-balanced affair but Zamalek, who had to do without several regular players, had the upper hand in terms of possession.
Ineffective winger Alaa Ali wasted Zamalek's first chance after 29 minutes when he latched onto a defence-splitting pass from lone striker Gaafar but his attempted lob missed the target.
Petrojet, however, almost hit the visitors on the break when a defensive lapse allowed striker Marouane Mohsen to break clear of defence but he shot poorly wide from inside the area.
Zamalek spurned a golden chance to open the scoring in the first-half's additional time when winger Mahmoud Abdel-Razek ‘Shikabala', who barely made his trademark darting runs, was tripped by Ahmed Shaaban inside the area.
Spot-kick specialist Mahmoud Fathallah stepped up but was unlucky to see his shot strike the post in the ensuing penalty.
Misfiring strikers
Zamalek coach Hossam Hassan introduced Qatari winger Hussein Yasser instead of Ali and Ivorian frontman Abou Kone instead of youngster Ahmed Kattawi to boost his firepower.
But misfiring and sluggish duo, Ivorian Kone and the towering Gaafar, squandered some easy goal-scoring chances.
Zamalek keeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed was at alert to palm away two decent shots from Petrojet but he was powerless to thwart them in the 76th minute.
Petrojet punished Zamalek for their wastefulness when Kamal Ali caught Zamalek defenders napping to beat Al-Sayed at the near post with a right-foot volley after making the most of Mohamed Ibrahim's superb pass.
The hosts defended in numbers to secure a precious win but their hearts were broken in the five-minute stoppage time.
Mostafa levelled the score when he fired home from inside the area following a goal-mouth scramble after Petrojet keeper mis-judged a cross.
Few minutes later, Zamalek's relentless pressure paid dividends when Gaafar rose to head home a brilliant Shikabala free kick and send the visiting fans into raptures.