Zamalek's key defender, Mahmoud Fathallah, has said that he is not worried about the beginning of the league as the Whites always play for the trophy and are therefore ready to face any team. The Cairo giants are scheduled to begin their league campaign with a home game against Masry of Port Said, while archrivals Ahly will play military club El-Entag El-Harby. "Zamalek are ready for the league start as we work to beat all our opponents," Fathallah was quoted as saying on Zamalek's official website. The 2013-14 season of the Egyptian premier league will have 22 teams divided into two groups. Five teams will be relegated at the end of the season and three promoted, leaving 20 teams in the subsequent season. Zamalek have been drawn in Group B of the Egyptian league alongside Ismaily, Masry, Petrojet, Talae El-Gaish, Canal, Minya, Ittihad El-Shorta, Beni Suef Telephones, Wadi Degla and Haras El-Hodoud. "I am not worried about the groups' draw as Zamalek is a big team that works to win," the Zamalek defender added. After the starting date was postponed twice, the new premier league season is now scheduled to start on 26 December behind closed doors, after receiving confirmation from the sports and interior ministries. "I hope the league will be played on its announced time and not delayed again," Fathallah concluded. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/89234.aspx
