Zamalek came from behind to beat hosts Ismaili 2-1 in the Egyptian League on Tuesday and keep title contenders Ahli in sight. Abdullah Al-Saied put Ismaili in front midway through the first-half but Zamalek scored twice in just five minutes before the break courtesy to goals from Abdul-Halim Ali and Mostafa Gaafar. The victory put Zamalek temporarily in first spot in first spot with 45 points, just one point ahead of Ahli who play Al-Gaish later on Tuesday. Both teams finished with 10 men as Ismaili captain Mohamed Soliman 'Homos' and Zamalek's Tamer Abdul-Hamid saw red after the break. Ismaili adopted an attacking attitude since the starting whistle but Zamalek had the first chance. Defender Mahmoud Mahmoud headed a cross into the path of Gaafar whose close-range effort was blocked by keeper Mohamed Sobhi. Ahmed Al-Gamal came close from breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute when he fired a stinging drive but Zamalek international goalkeeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed palmed it into a corner-kick that resulted one minute later into Ismaili's only goal. Al-Saied ghosted behind Zamalek's static back four to steer a powerful header into the top corner of the net.
Gaafar The experienced Zamalek leveled in the 36th minute through Egypt striker Ali who drilled a low shot from the edge of the area past Sobhi whose dive couldn't tip the ball away. The visitors grabbed the lead five minutes later when Yousef Hamdi raced down the right and crossed to the darting Gaafar who got in front of his marker to convert home. Sayed Moawad almost equalized just before the break but his long-range shot hit the crossbar. Ismaili's crisis deepened in the second-half when 'Homos' was sent-off in the 54th minute after receiving his second booking of the game for diving. Zamalek defending midfielder Abdul-Hamid was also dismissed one minute after the hour mark after collecting two yellow cards. International winger Ahmed Fathi missed a rare chance in the 64th minute when he fired wide with the goal at his mercy. The hosts dominated the remaining period and succeeded in setting their own pace but Ismaili's talented youngsters failed to deliver as Zamalek managed to hold on to their narrow lead.
