Zamalek secured their 11th national football league title, doing so after beating their biggest challenger. Mohamed El-Sayed looks at Zamalek's day of triumphs Zamalek dashed any hopes their arch foes Ahli had entertained of winning the league title, edging them 2-1, thus capturing on the same day the crown and Ahli's scalp. Winning the trophy for the second consecutive year, the White House (60 points) finished 13 points ahead of the Red Devils (47 points) even though four matches remain. Having won the first-round derby 1-0, this was the second time in the history of the 56- year-old league that Zamalek had beaten their city rivals at home and away. Either because of approaching school exams or because Ahli supporters had given up hope of challenging for the title, in contrast to past encounters, there were few supporters of either team at the Military Academy Stadium. Clearly buoyed by the bonuses they had received two hours before game time in recognition of a near faultless season, Zamalek hit the opener 13 minutes into the first half. Defender Beshir El-Tabaei launched a resounding free- kick from 30 yards that goalkeeper Essam El- Hadari could only watch as the ball zipped by him. Just before the goal, Ahli were trimmed to 10 men when Ahmed El-Sayed was sent off after delivering a backhand into the face of Zamalek's veteran Hossam Hassan. Replays showed that while Hassan, a former Ahli star, was probably hit, the injury he suffered to the mouth did not warrant the twists and turns on the grass that accompanied the blow. The Italian referee flown in specially for the match did not see it that way and did not hesitate to flash El-Sayed, normally mild- mannered, the red card. Abdel-Halim Ali, who made almost no impact throughout the first half, doubled the score 13 minutes after the restart. The unmarked Ali, who tops the list of goal-scorers with 16 goals, steered a strong close ranger header to the left of goal following a delicious cross pass produced by midfielder Tareq El-Sayed. That was the cue for Ahli's new signing Mohamed Abu Treika to send a bullet into the roof of Zamalek's net in the 66th minute, one of the season's better goals. Afterwards, Ahli defenders Wael Gomaa and Shadi Mohamed continued their habit of frittering away gilt-edged chances. They did not do justice to four scoring opportunities that came their way. "I'm so happy because the results of the derby matches between Zamalek and Ahli are always remembered, and I am pleased that our fans will always remember that I led the team to two victories over their traditional foes in one season," said Vingada, Zamalek's Portuguese head coach. "We have been unlucky throughout the season," said Manuel Jose, the Devils' Portuguese head coach. "We were much better than Zamalek throughout the game except for the first 10 minutes of the second half. Zamalek is an extraordinarily lucky team. The sending off of El- Sayed was due to Hassan's wittiness and the former's lack of experience. He did not intend to hit him. The result of the game is unfair for we played our best match this season." Jose refused to answer questions about his delay in introducing Sayed Abdel-Hafeez and his decision to pull out Hassan Mustafa. Abdel-Hafeez's comeback from injury was one of the few bright spots in Ahli's dismal season that has seen the African club of the century eliminated from the African Champions League from the first round, withdraw from the Arab Champions League, and now unable to capture the league title -- that they had won 30 previous times -- for the fourth year running. The match pitted not just the big rivals of Egypt but two Portuguese coaches. However, there is no animosity between them. Vingada and Jose are close, spending the weekends together at the apartment of a mutual Egyptian friend. They watch the Portuguese league, chat and enjoy Portuguese dishes prepared by their wives. They rarely speak about their teams, but it is a sure bet that the derby will be a conversation point this weekend.
