Ahli took a giant step toward the double after defeating cross town derby rivals Zamalek 3-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Egyptian Cup Zamalek's Hussein Yasser opened the score from close range in the first minute before Ahli defender Sherif Abdel-Fadeel leveled things up with a pile driver in the 17th minute. Mohamed Fadl controlled an aimlessly bouncing ball to put Ahli ahead to stay late in the first half before Mohamed Abu Treika's lucky deflected header sealed Zamalek's fate. Ahli's victory was their eighth consecutive win over Zamalek in the Egyptian Cup and their 13th overall. Zamalek have not defeated Ahli in the Egyptian Cup since 1958. Zamalek have not beaten Ahli in any soccer tournament since 2007. The match, played in a sold-out Cairo Stadium on Wednesday night, could have been an early final in the tournament. Between them, Ahli and Zamalek have won more cups than any other club in Egypt. They also finished one-two in this season's league. The game was exceptionally fast-paced by Ahli and by Egyptian standards. The marauding runs of Abdel-Fadeel, midfielder Mohamed Barakat and left back Sayed Moawad threatened Zamalek's often porous defence all night. Having sewn up the league title with three weeks to go, and having reached the group stage of the African Champions League, Ahli played with more confidence which was clearly lacking in Zamalek who desperately needed the cup so as not to end the season empty-handed of silverware. The Italian referee flown in especially for the game, and who adjudged the recent Europa final between Atletico Madrid and Fulham, missed key plays, including Zamalek's first goal which should have been whistled offside, plus a penalty kick which should have been awarded Zamalek after Ahli midfielder Hossam Ashour clearly handled in the box. Ahli would often stitch together intricate passes of a dozen or more as they weaved their way goal-bound. Age did not show in their over-30 footballers Ahmed Hassan, Barakat and Abu Treika. In contrast, Zamalek played listlessly, their stars Shikabala, Ahmed Gaafar and Yasser smothered by Ahli's defenders. The performance was a far cry from that of the second half of the season which saw Zamalek jump from 13th place to second following the arrival of coach Hossam Hassan. The last time they met, Ahli and Zamalek produced a scintillating 3-3 draw in the final stages of the league. Three times Zamalek took the lead, at 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2, only for Ahli to come back each time. After Wednesday's game, Ahli coach Hossam El-Badri said his side outplayed Zamalek because of their midfield dominance. "We piled up pressure on Zamalek till we got the upper hand," he explained. "Deploying three holding midfielders helped us take control of the game. "I told Hossam Ashour to position himself behind Shehab Ahmed and Ahmed Hassan, who both became able to freely advance forward and give us midfield dominance." El-Badri is convinced that his men's experience was behind the comeback. "The experience factor helped us overturn the goal deficit," he added. "I'm really satisfied with the result but I'm happier with the performance." Zamalek's display could have resulted in a more embarrassing result, assistant coach Tarek Suleiman said. "Thank God the match ended 3-1," said Suleiman, who normally attends post-match news conferences instead of head coach Hassan. "This was our worst performance this season. The majority of the players could not live up to expectations. "The early goal we scored eventually counted against us. The players were nervous afterwards." "We were unlucky to face Ahli so early," Suleiman added. "But we can still consider this season a success. We achieved our aim of booking a place in the African Champions League." Ahli now play Petrojet in the quarter-finals after Petrojet beat second division side Canal Mooring and Lights 2-0. Ahli are aiming for their 14th domestic double. Also making it to the quarters were the Arab Contractors, Ittihad of Alexandria, Ismaili, defending champion Haras Al-Hedoud, Military Production and Enppi. The team that reaches the cup final would have played five games in three weeks. The teams will finish the already delayed tournament before the World Cup which begins on 11 June.
