The Egyptian football cup entered the semi-finals but not before a near death experience, writes Abeer Anwar Ahli continued their bid towards winning the second successive domestic double title after beating Al-Gaish 3-1 to book a semi- final berth in the Egyptian Cup . At the same time, Zamalek beat Mansoura 3-0 to reach the semis as well. Ismaili will now play Ahli and Zamalek meets Petrol Assuit in the two semi-finals. Sameh Adrous of Al-Gaish stunned the home crowd in the 26th minute but his header was cancelled out by last season's league top scorer, Mohamed Abou-Treika's superb bicycle kick shortly before the break. Abou-Treika scored early in the second- half and Angolan striker Flavio Amado secured the win in the 61st minute after his low cross from the left-flank evaded the keeper and went into the bottom corner through an opportunist goal. Gaish played the full second-period with just 10 men following Hossam Abdul-Aal's dismissal as he received a second booking . But the big news of the game was Ahli defender Mohamed Sedik, 29, being knocked unconscious just before the interval after a mid-air collision with Al-Gaish keeper Wa'el Khalifa. The former Zamalek defender swallowed his tongue and had to be rushed to hospital but regained consciousness shortly after. Deputy Secretary-General of the ruling National Democratic Party and President Mubarak's son, Gamal, phoned Ahli club to follow up on the developments. Sedik's near death was reminiscent of the death last year of Ahli and Egypt defender Mohamed Abdul-Wahab from a sudden heart attack during training. In Ismailia, Ismaili goalkeeper Mohamed Fathi saved two penalties to help his side claim a 4-2 shootout victory over Haras Al-Hodoud after a goalless draw to reach the semi-final. Al-Hodoud duo Tamer Darweesh and Hani Said saw their efforts saved by Fathi while Hosni Abd-Rabou, Abdullah Said, Mohamed Hommos and Mohamed Abdul- Wahed all scored for Ismaili. The Dervishes will face title holders Ahli at Cairo international stadium on 29 June. Ismaili, who finished third in the Egyptian League table, were lucky to escape defeat as Al-Hodoud missed a host of easy opportunities which could have killed off the game. Gamal Hamza scored twice to help Zamalek crush first division side Mansoura 3-0 at Cairo International Stadium on Thursday to reach the Egyptian Cup semi-finals. The Egypt international forward broke the deadlock early in the first-half before adding the second 12 minutes past the hour mark with a superb individual effort. Amr Zaki came off the bench in the second-period to wrap up the win four minutes from time. Second division side Mansoura finished the game with nine men on the field after Ahmed Omran was sent-off in the 55th minute and Rashad Farouk followed him on the sidelines in the 77th minute, both for second bookable offenses. The Cairo giants will face relegated club Petrol Assuit in the semi-final after the latter defeated ENPPI 2-1 in the upset of the tournament thus far. Zamalek dominated the entire first-half as Mansoura could not impose a single threat until the half-time whistle blew. Skipper Hazem Emam had the first chance for the hosts after three minutes when he superbly put the ball between a defender's legs and went clear on goal but a weak shot was easily collected by the keeper. Hamza opened the score line six minutes later after he controlled Abdul-Halim Ali's brilliant chip pass inside the area before drilling a left-footed shot that took a deflection and went into the roof of the net. Hamza deepened Mansoura's misery in the 72nd minute when he raced through the opponents' midfield before unleashing an unstoppable bullet that went into the top corner of the net. Zamalek's top scorer this season Zaki completed the rout four minutes from time when he capitalised on a defensive mix-up to slot home past the advancing keeper.
