Zamalek are trying hard to close the gap with league leaders Ahli Zamalek fought for a crucial 1-0 win at Al-Gouna in the Egyptian domestic football league on Friday, reports Ahmed Morsy. Out-of-favour striker Sherif Ashraf came on as a second half substitute to hit the winner and give his side the vital three points. After winning nine matches out of their last 11, the Cairo side secured second place with 40 points, six behind their arch-rivals and league leaders Ahli who have a game in hand. Relegation-threatened Al-Gouna, who were tipped to be a revelation after securing their first top flight promotion, lie 14th with 21 points. Zamalek have nine games left to play; Ahli have 10. Zamalek were in control in the early minutes of the first half and created a few scoring chances. The first opportunity fell to Alaa Ali when he tried to beat his marker in the air and headed a Shikabala inch-perfect cross, but his close-range effort missed the target by inches. Zamalek could have been awarded a penalty kick when Amr Issa handled the ball on the edge of the area. The referee signalled for a free kick and Shikabala stepped up to convert but his tame drive hit the wall. Al-Gouna's Ahmed Omran came close to opening the scoring on the half-hour mark with a fierce volley that was denied by the post. Gamal Hamza, who was playing against his former club Zamalek for the first time, whipped in a diagonal cross. The ball bounced off the ground before it was found by Omran yards away from goal. Zamalek coach Hossam Hassan surprisingly introduced Sabri Rahil instead for flamboyant playmaker Shikabala right after the break. Hamza, who will play for Gouna until the end of the term before becoming an Ahli red shirt starting next season, combined with Omran once again but the latter failed to break the deadlock. Zamalek striker Ahmed Gaafar squandered a chance to put Zamalek in front when he headed a Hussein Yasser cross high over, seconds before the young striker made way for Ashraf. Hamza, whose name was repeatedly chanted by Gouna's spectators, was taken off in the 68th minute. Abdul-Moneim Ahmed was sent in instead but could not deliver the goods. Substitute Ashraf repaid coach Hassan's faith and scored the winner after latching onto an Ibrahim Salah defence-splitting pass near the penalty spot to dink home unmarked. "I hope to have more chances in the first team in the coming games," Ashraf told Zamalek's official website. "I will do my best to grasp this opportunity with both hands to contribute to Zamalek's fine run." Meanwhile, Zamalek's unofficial football director Ibrahim Hassan has had his five-year ban lifted by the Union of North African Football Federations (UNAF), his lawyer said on Saturday. Ibrahim Hassan, twin of Zamalek coach Hossam, was handed the ban in December 2008 after losing his temper in a regional match between Misri and Algeria's JSM Bejaia. His suspension was upheld by world governing body FIFA. The Hassan brothers were on the Misri staff at the time. Ibrahim Hassan can now take over as Zamalek's officially established football director. Elsewhere, Misri moved four points clear of the relegation zone after securing a 2-1 home win over rock bottom Assiout Petroleum while Ittihad lost 2-0 to Military Production. The in-form Production, who have earned plaudits for their stunning results in their first season in the top flight, are fifth in the league table with 34 points, three behind fourth-placed Ismaili who have a game in hand.
