Zamalek cruised past Tersana 3-0 in the Egyptian League on Friday to return to winning ways and ease the pressure on Dutch manager Ruud Krol. The Cairo giants were held to a 2-2 away draw by lowly Aluminum on Sunday as their hopes of competing for the league title faded. They were looking for a much-needed win. Reports indicated that another stumble would seal the fate of Krol. Zamalek fans voiced their disappointment by wearing black suits and carrying banners calling for more courageous displays. However, three goals from Mahmoud Fathallah, Tarek Al-Sayed and substitute Amr Zaki ensured they would go home satisfied, at least this night. The result put Zamalek in fourth place in the league table with 24 points, three adrift of leaders Ahli, who played two matches less than their arch-rivals. Wasted Penalty The referee awarded Tersana a deserved penalty after just two minutes. Zamalek skipper Al-Sayed made a naive challenge on Hani Hassan to obstruct his run inside the area as the official pointed to the spot. Red Metwali stepped-up and, although keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef dived the wrong way, his low shot went wide of the post. Zamalek dominated afterwards and wasted several dangerous opportunities to open the scoring. Abdul-Halim Ali's header from Gamal Hamza's free-kick after eight minutes narrowly missed the target. Tamer Abdul-Hamid should have put the hosts in front three minutes later when Hamza's deflected shot went into his path in the six-yard box.
He terribly shot wide with the goal at his mercy, to the frustration of the technical staff members who reacted furiously on the touchline. Fathallah's Opener Defender Fathallah scored his first goal for Zamalek since his arrival from Ghazl Mahalla in the close season to put the hosts ahead in the 22nd minute. Shikabala's corner picked out the unmarked Fathallah inside the area to poke home from close range. Fathallah could have doubled the lead 11 minutes later when Tersana keeper blocked Ali's header into his path. His poor volley flew high over. In the second-half, Krol introduced Zaki instead of Ali as the prolific striker returned to competitive action after being absent for two months due to disputes with the club's board. Total Domination The Hammers were outplayed in the second period, leaving huge gaps in their backline. Zamalek went two up nine minutes past the hour mark following some eye-catching swift passes. Hamza collected a pass on the left flank and provided a superb pass through two defenders to Shikabala inside the area. The talented playmaker back-heeled the ball to Al-Sayed, who fired a powerful bullet into the far corner of the net. After killing off Tersana hopes, Krol introduced fans' favorite Hazem Emam, who played his first match since the 1-0 defeat to Ismaili in the league opener. Zaki wrapped up the victory in the 76th minute with a simple header after being fed by Hamza's cross.
