Zamalek overcame an early numerical disadvantage and eased to a 3-0 victory past Ghazl Mahalla in the Egyptian League in Cairo on Thursday. Youssef Hamdi broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, just two minutes after Zamalek's veteran midfielder Tamer Abdul-Hamid received his marching orders due to a second bookable offense. Egypt striker Abdul-Halim Ali doubled the lead on the half-hour mark with a powerful shot before Mostafa Gaafar sealed the win after the break. The visitors finished the game with 10 men as well when Ahmed Al-Muhammadi was sent-off in the 70th minute. Zamalek tightened their grip on the second spot that qualifies to the African Champions League on 52 points while Mahalla remained 10th on 21 points and moved closer to relegation. Hamdi put his side ahead when he raced down the right, cut inside and unleashed a left-footer from the edge of the area past Romanian goalkeeper Leptor Valentin. Shortly after, Ali curled a long-range bullet that eluded the helpless keeper and went home. Gaafar put the icing on the cake in the 58th minute when he robbed a Mahalla defender and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting into an empty net. Leaders and holders Ahli will play Suez Cement in the last match of the week on Friday.
