A controversial penalty by Amr Zaki in the dying minutes earned Zamalek a hard-fought 1-0 away victory over Olympic in the Egyptian League on Friday. The Egypt international striker converted home from the spot in stoppage time as Zamalek kept their slim title hopes alive. The Cairo giants are third in the league table with 42 points, on level with second-placed Ismaili who have the goal difference advantage despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Al-Gaish. Title holders Ahli, who face Harras Al-Hodoud later on Friday, are in charge of the table with 50 points. Left-back Tarek Al-Sayed had the first chance for the visitors in the 23rd minute when he received Abdul-Halim Ali's brilliant back-heel pass inside the area but failed to poke home from close-range as Caesar Ekow blocked his effort. Zamalek top scorer Zaki almost put his side ahead in the 28th minute after he escaped his marker and cut ahead of the keeper to head Osama Hassan's free-kick just wide of the post. Two minutes later, Al-Sayed rounded a defender inside the 18-yard box and hit a right-footed shot that was tipped away by Ekow. Skipper Hazem Emam wasted another opportunity seven minutes before the break when he was picked out by Amr Al-Safti's header but his backward shot couldn't find the net.
Ismaili held by Al-Gaish Zaki notched home eight minutes past the hour mark but his goal was ruled out for offside amid heavy protests from Zamalek's players and technical staff. Substitute Gamal Hamza should have opened the score line eight minutes from time as he latched on to Hassan's through pass and went face-to-face with Ekow, who blocked his effort. Zamalek were awarded a penalty in the additional time after Zaki was allegedly brought down by Olympic defender Ahmed Gomaa. Olympic threatened to withdraw from the match in protest of the referee's decision but finally resumed before former ENPPI striker Zaki stepped-up and fired the ball into the right bottom corner to lead Zamalek to a precious win. Elsewhere, Ismaili came from behind twice to tie Al-Gaish 2-2. Hassan Mousa put the military club ahead five minutes after re-start before Mohamed Fadl equalized for Ismaili five minutes after the hour mark. Gomaa Mashour restored the lead for Al-Gaish five minutes later but Egypt Olympic team star Ahmed Samir Farag leveled the score again in stoppage time.
