After failing to win any local trophy in the past season, and being routed by Ahly in the African Champions League final, Zamalek coach Jaime Pacheco praised the performance of his team's players in opening their Egyptian Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Arab Contractors on Saturday. The Cairo giants defeated the Arab Contractors in convincing fashion, with an own goal and a late strike from Mostafa Mohamed. "Victory is most important," Pacheco told a press conference after the victory over Arab Contractors. "The game was very difficult as we knew that we will face a tough opponent," he added. Zamalek were disciplined throughout despite creating few chances, focusing on tightening up at the back rather than displaying an attacking flair. "We didn't start the game in a well shape but after 5 minutes we returned to the game until the end of the first half then in the second half we suffered from a dip-in-performance," the Zamalek coach said. The 62-year-old tactician Pacheco stressed he is playing league games to win not to show off. "The team who wants to win the league should collect more points as the Egyptian Premier league is difficult and all teams are equal in their technical performance." "I play every game searching for victory not the performance," Pacheco added. Zamalek coach Jaime Pacheco surprisingly left Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki on the bench to start the game, introducing compatriot Hamid Ahadad on the left wing after he returned from a loan spell with Casablanca-based club Raja. "Bencharki didn't start the game as he was not ready for the game," Zamalek moved joint top with Aswan, Ceramica Cleopatra and Ittihad of Alexandria, who all grabbed opening wins. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
