Abdul-Halim Ali scored twice to help Zamalek crush struggling Aluminum 5-0 in the Egyptian League on Wednesday. Mohamed Aboul-Ella, Gamal Hamza and Mostafa Gaafar were also on the score sheet as Zamalek grabbed their 12th victory of the season. The win kept Zamalek at the top of the league with 39 points, four ahead of arch-rivals Ahli who still have three matches in hand. Zamalek started in an explosive style and didn't wait for long before opening the score line. Ibrahim Saied, who started in the midfield to cover suspended Tamer Abdul-Hamid, raced down the right before crossing inside the area for Ali to head into the path of Hamza who sent an ice-cool volley past keeper Hilal Hilal. Ali looked out of form as he squandered rare chances shortly after, firing three times wide with the goal at his mercy.
Saied almost doubled the lead in the 31st minute when he cut in front of his marker to steer a powerful header that deflected off the keeper, hit the crossbar before being cleared by the defense. Ali made up for the missed chances six minute from the break when he beat the Aluminum static back four to head into the far post. Zamalek continued full domination in the second-half, rocking Aluminum on their heels and notching three more goals. Gaafar made it three for the home side one minute past the hour mark when he slotted home on the rebound after Hamza's initial effort was blocked by the keeper. In the 76th minute, Mohamed Aboul-Ella stepped up to deliver a curling free-kick that sailed over the wall and went into the back of the net. Ali put completed the rout four minutes later, controlling a fine cross from the right before drilling a low shot past the helpless Hilal.
