Zamalek's misery in the Egyptian League continued after they were held to a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Olympic at the Military Academy on Friday. Abdul-Halim Ali's goal for Zamalek eight minutes from time cancelled out Ahmed Adel's opener in the first-half. Last season runners-up Zamalek lie sixth with seven points, while Olympic are third from bottom on two points. Zamalek, who were looking to make up for their disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Al-Gaish, failed to impress as they resumed their sluggish performance since the start of the Egyptian League. Olympic took the attacking initiative in the 13th minute when Adel Emam outpaced Zamalek defender Tamer Abdul-Wahab inside the area before sending a close-range shot that deflected off Wael Al-Qabani's legs and went over the bar. Three minutes later, Zamalek responded with a dangerous opportunity after striker Mostafa Gaafar headed Tamer Abdul-Hamid's inch-perfect cross into the body of Olympic keeper Saad Nasser.
Nasser was brought into action again in the 19th minute to deny Zamalek another chance when he parried Tarek Al-Sayed's shot from the edge of the area before blocking Gaafar's rebound. Adel stunned the home crowd in the 32nd minute as he latched on to a Ahmed Saied 'Bogi' through pass and broke Zamalek's poor defense before drilling the ball home under keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef's hands. Al-Qabani almost leveled the score in the first-half stoppage after his free-kick struck the post. In the second-half, Zamalek tried to mount pressure on the visitors, searching for the equalizer. Zamalek coach Manuel Cajuda introduced Magdi Attwa instead of Gaafar, the substitution that made the difference for the Cairo giants. Ali leveled the score in the 82nd minute when he controlled Attwa's cross inside the area, before slotting home from close-range. Al-Sayed almost snatched the victory in the stoppage time when his left-footed strike hit the woodwork.
