Zamalek grabbed a second-half lead but were on the brink of ending on the losing side after Smouha wasted a stoppage-time penalty in a 1-1 Egyptian Premier League draw on Tuesday. After a goalless first half, Zamalek went ahead on 70 minutes when deep-lying forward Youssef Ibrahim finished off a deft pass from substitute Mahmoud Kahraba, whose second-half introduction made the difference. The White Knights squandered a couple of chances to extend their lead and were punished when a brilliant header from substitute Hossam Hassan brought Smouha level with four minutes remaining. Smouha could have completed a comeback deep in injury time when they were awarded a penalty after Sherif Reda was tripped by Tunisian full-back Hamdi Nagguez, only for defender Yasser Ibrahim to blast the spot-kick high over. Zamalek's draw prevented them from overtaking Pyramids FC on top. They lie second in the table with 14 points, one behind the big-spending Pyramids who secured a 1-0 win over Arab Contractors on Monday. Chances were few and far between in a cagey first half, with both sides struggling to create openings against tight backlines. Zamalek, in particular Tunisian midfielder Ferjani Sassi, gave away possession far too easily but Smouha could not pounce on the mistakes as their final touches let them down. The only real goal-scoring chance before the break fell to Zamalek forward Kabongo Kasongo on the stroke of halftime. Nagguez pulled the ball back to Kasongo from the byline, with the Congolese turning and hitting a low shot that went past the keeper before defender Osama Ibrahim headed it away on the goalline. Zamalek notably improved in a more exciting second half, pinning Smouha in their own half for long spells. Winger Ibrahim Hassan had a curling shot superbly thwarted by keeper Mahmoud Abou-Gabal before Ibrahim broke the deadlock on 70 minutes when he neatly controlled a defence-splitting pass from Kahraba and struck with a low effort that deflected off a defender and looped into the net. Smouha made the most of Zamalek's profligacy to restore parity four minutes from time, thanks to a superb glancing header from Hossam Hassan following a floated cross. The Alexandria-based club, who are sixth in the table, could have grabbed a famous win had it not been for the wasted penalty. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
