Zamalek equal Ahly's league points record with Petrojet draw

Zamalek fail to hold on to their slender lead against Petrojet to concede a goal deep into stoppage time

Zamalek equaled Ahly's league record of 74 points but failed to hold onto their narrow lead after drawing 1-1 with Petrojet in the final minutes at the Suez Stadium on Saturday.
With the Whites looking en route to their third league win running, Nigerian forward James Owoboskini upset them with a last-gasp equaliser, cancelling out Bassem Morsi's second-half goal to give his side a precious point.
Zamalek were somewhat relieved to avoid pressure from Ahly who drew 1-1 with Gouna, as 11-time Egyptian champions now need 12 points from seven games to secure an elusive league trophy that they last lifted in 2004.
High-tempo
A fast-paced first –half saw the hosts dominate early on, thanks to their intense pressing and defending from the front, which caused Zamalek problems.
As a result, the league leaders managed only to reach the byline after seven minutes, and it was five minutes later when they posed real threat on goal through a header from onrushing midfielder Ahmed Tawfik.
Zamalek midfield duo Tawfik and Omar Gaber, who both flanked holder Ibrahim Salah, were the main attacking outlets for their side throughout the first period, linking well the midfield and attack.
It was the attack, however, that didn't seem at its best, with Ahmed Eid looking out of sorts, Ayman Hefni losing the ball frequently – leaving the frustrated striker Bassem Morsi without service.
But the resilient Petrojet came back to pose danger after 23 minutes through Shimelis Bekele, who struck from outside the area but straight into keeper Ahmed El-Shennawi's hands.
The petroleum side's most dangerous chance of the half, however, came in stoppage time when Mostafa Shebeita headed narrowly wide from right-back Amr Hassan's cross.
Owoboskini strikes to snatch a point
Zamalek looked shaken at the start of the second half, and an early mix-up between El-Shennawi and center-back Mohamed Koffi could have resulted in Petrojet's opener.
Manager Jesualdo Ferreira had substituted Tawfik at half time to introduce winger Mostafa Fathi, and the Cairo giants' midfield looked struggling after losing a man in that area.
But Zamalek gradually started to get a grip on the game, and their opener came in the 66thminute following a terrific cross from Hefni as the lively Morsi made no mistake at the far post after ghosting in behind.
Full-back Osama Mohamed then replied with a free-kick shot but his strike went wide by inches.
Substitute Maarouf Yusuf was then guilty of a glaring miss following an excellent cut-back from Fathi, only to blast high 10 minutes from the end.
Zamalek then had a couple of promising chances from counter attacks but eventually had to pay for the sluggishness of Fathi and Morsi who could have done better to ensure their side's victory.
And it was Owoboskini who punished them late following a goal-mouth scramble inside the area to deny Zamalek victory in the dying minutes.
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