A below-par Zamalek side were stunned 1-0 by rock bottom Sharqeya in the Egyptian league for their third straight successive defeat as their hopes of a top-two finish were dealt a severe blow. A 50th-minute goal from forward Mohamed 'Mido' eventually proved the winner in a match that saw the Cairo giants thwarted twice by the woodwork following attempts from defender Mahmoud Hamdi and striker Bassem Morsi. Zamalek enjoyed a numerical advantage after Burkinabe center-back Farouck Kabore was sent off for a second bookable offense 11 minutes from time, but they failed to take advantage. Interim boss Mohamed Salah was in charge of Zamalek against the league minnows, with newly-appointed manager Augusto Inacio watching from the stands. The Whites, who were also defeated 1-0 by Maqassa and Smouha in their last two league games, are now fourth of the league table with 40 points, 15 adrift of leaders Ahly and 11 behind second-placed Maqassa. Mido stunner A low-tempo first-half saw Zamalek dominate possession but struggled to pose threat on goal more frequently, with their major chance coming on the half-hour mark. An unlikely source of goals in center-back Hamdi could have gotten his name on the score-sheet but was unlucky to see his strike from inside the area denied by the bar. Four minutes later, Zamalek keeper Mahmoud 'Gennesh' came out of goal in an attempt to collect a corner kick, only for Mohamed Shaarawi to capitalize on the former's mistake and head narrowly wide of the post. And it was just five mintues after the break when the hosts took the lead through Mido, who struck on the rebound after Yaya Traore's strike was blocked by keeper Gennesh into his path. Zamalek then had a penalty appeal after the ball had appeared to have touched a Sharqeya defender's hand inside the area but the referee waved play-on. Interim Zamalek boss Mohamed Salah then took off right-back Osama Ibrahim, who was largely responsible for the goal conceded, as he opted to attack with only three defenders at the back instead of four. Despite throwing in more attackers, with Shikabala, Stanley Ohawuchi and striker Ahmed Gaafar all introduced, Zamalek failed to equalize as they face an uphill battle now to seal a Champions League spot. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
