It took three years of trying but at last Zamalek put Ahli in the shade in Egypt's famed football derby. Nashwa Abdel-Tawwab reports on how the rare feat was accomplished The 2-0 victory in Cairo Stadium on Monday had no bearing on the standings at least with regard to Ahli which sowed up its 32nd league title last week. The game was more vital for Zamalek which is vying with Ismaili for second place, a slot which ensures an appearance in next year's African Champions League. Tomorrow, the final day of the league, the issue will be settled when Ahli play Ismaili and Zamalek meets Masri. The last time Zamalek beat Ahli was in May 2004; the 2-1 loss would instigate Ahli's Egyptian league record of 71 games un beaten. Since then, Zamalek has been punished 4-2, 3-0, 2-0 and 2-1 with a 0-0 tie in the middle breaking the monotony. But on Monday, Zamalek helped to push the bitter memories in the background with a sterling performance in front of 70,000 spectators. Ahli defender Ahmed Shedid cleared Gamal Hamza's header from the goal line in the 10th minute for the first real danger. Mohamed Abul Ela crossed the ball to Abdel-Halim Ali but his header was denied following a heroic dive by Ahli goalkeeper Amir Abdel-Hamid. Zamalek's pressure ultimately paid off. Shikabala stole an errant pass, dummied defender Wa'el Gomaa twice before sending a precision low cross into the path of Tamer Abdel-Hamid who had no trouble rifling home in the 41st minute Abul Ela muscled his way past defender Ahmed El-Sayed before lofting up a soft cross which was powerfully headed in by Gamal Hamza in the 62nd minute. In between the two goals, Zamalek defender Wa'el Qabani had his penalty kick saved by Abdel-Hamid. The spot kick had been given by Italian referee Mateo Luni when Gomaa barrelled into Amr Zaki. Assistant Ahli coach Hossam El-Badri made some changes to give his team more attacking options as Ahmed Galal, Ahmed Sedik and Abdel-Hamid Hassan replaced Ahmed Belal, Anis Boujelbene and Osama Hosni. The team responded and came close. In the 70th minute, Sedik flew past goalkeeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef and shot into the empty net but Amr El-Safti came out of nowhere to clear on the goal line. Five minutes later, Galal could have pulled one back but failed to convert Sedik's low cross. Ahli rested most of its starters, as well as their Portuguese coach Manuel Jose, after having sewn up the league last week with three games remaining. Against Zamalek, there was no Shadi Mohamed, Mohamed Shawki, Emad El-Nahhas, Mohamed Abou- Treika, Mohamed Barakat, Emad Meteb, Flavio Amado and keeper Essam El-Hadari. Right back Islam El-Shater was also injured. Following the epic with Zamalek, Ahli has 73 points, Zamalek 65 and Ismaili 64. Against Ismaili tomorrow, Ahli will seek to avenge a first-leg 3-0 defeat in Cairo. The loss broke Ahli's phenomenal unbeaten streak. Zamalek's win helped ease the disappointment of elimination from the African Champions League and Arab Champions League, in addition to missing out on the league title for the third straight year. Having won nothing local, African or Arab the past three years provided Zamalek with even more incentive. Zamalek last defeated Ahli in the 2003/ 2004 season, the match in which they were crowned champions for the 11th time in their history. But after that, Zamalek had to face the in- form Ahli seven times in just two seasons: four matches in the league, two in the CAF Champions League and one in the Egyptian Cup final. Zamalek were defeated in all of them except when they held Ahli to a goalless draw shortly after Egypt's 2006 African Cup of Nations triumph. This week's encounter was the 99th league meeting between Egypt's two powerhouses; Ahli has won 34, lost 25 with 40 draws. Altogether, 126 games have been played between them. Ahli has won 52, Zamalek 31 and 43 ties. After losing to Ahli in December 2-1, Zamalek appointed former France manager Henri Michel who on Monday succeeded where his immediate predecessors had failed. The liquid was flowing, not necessarily champagne, and certainly not red syrup. It was, like Zamalek's white attire, more like coconut juice.
