A wasteful Zamalek extended their win-less streak to three league games after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Masry on Monday. It is the first loss for Zamalek manager Ahmed "Mido" Hossam, who has guided his side to the Champions League round of 16 after taking over from Helmy Toulan in January. The Whites failed to bounce back from two league draws when a first-half header from forward Mohamed Shaarawy condemned them to their second loss of the season. Tensions flared in the final moments of the game following the dismissal of Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Ibrahim for a second bookable offence at the 90th minute. Zamalek slipped to sixth place in Group B on 15 points, seven adrift of leaders Petrojet. Against the run of play Zamalek dominated possession from the off, with natural centre-half Hamada Tolba playing a key role in his side's attacks down the right flank. Against the run of play, however, Masry managed to take the lead through Shaarawy who was left unmarked inside the area to head Ahmed Daoud's cross from the right at the 20-minute mark. A minute later, a clear-on-goal Emanuel Odi could have made it a surprise two-goal lead but the Ghanaian frontman had to see his effort agonisingly hit the top of the crossbar. As Zamalek controlled midfield with Masry camping in their own half, the visitors came close to levelling seven minutes from half time when Mahmoud Fathallah flicked a crossed free-kick goalwards, only to see his header miss the target by inches. But the save of the half belonged to Egypt international keeper Ahmed El-Shennawy, who brilliantly palmed over a superb free kick from Fathallah at the stroke of halftime to maintain a clean sheet. Zamalek waste, tensions flare Zamalek fans endured a frustrating second half with forwards Mohamed Ibrahim, Moemen Zakareya and Ahmed Gaafar spurning gilt-edged chances to get their side back into the game. Seven minutes into the second half, Ibrahim had a chance to restore parity when the off-colour forward broke into the area before striking narrowly wide when it looked easy to score. Five minutes later, Zakareya was guilty of another similar miss when he surged into the area, only to see his shot go wide of the post. Substitute Gaafar, however, was to shoulder the blame of the miss of the half, squandering another glorious chance from close range with the goal at his mercy. Keeper Shennawy also deserves credit for preserving his side's lead when he managed to thwart a stunning overhead kick from substitute Dominique da Silva six minutes from the end. As Zamalek continued to press Masry, the Port Said side looked extremely dangerous on the counter and Ibrahim was sent off after tackling a clear-on-goal Alaa Shaaban. Dominique was also at the centre of another controversy following a cynical foul against an opponent as both teams squared up before the referee blew the final whistle moments later. (Formoresports news and updates,followAhramOnline Sportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/96907.aspx
