Zamalek's hopes of competing for the Egyptian League title dented after Ahmed Shaaban's late bullet helped 10-man Petrojet secure a precious 1-0 home victory on Wednesday. Despite Osama Mohamed's dismissal for a second booking five minutes before the final whistle, Petrojet managed to grab a much-needed win. Midfielder Shaaban fired a powerful shot into the back of the net with one minute remaining. Petrojet leapfrogged Zamalek to second place in the league table with 29 points after ending a four-match winless streak. Zamalek lie third on 27 points, nine adrift of leaders and title holders Ahli, who still have a game in hand. The men in white will probqably settle for a league-less season for the fourth year running. Explosive Start Petrojet surprisingly laid siege to Zamalek area and came close to opening the score on several occasions. Mohamed Farouk was unlucky to see his header denied by the bar after just four minutes. One minute later, Egyptian international Osama fired a low shot from a tight angle that narrowly missed the target. Zamalek had to thank keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef for keeping the scoreline blank. In the 29th minute, the former Dina Farms keeper parried a long-range drive from Shaaban before blocking Farouk's shot on the rebound. Zamalek's only chance in the first-half came eight minutes before the interval. Youngster Sherif Ashraf connected with Ahmed Hossam's cross from the right to head just inches over the bar.
Zamalek manager Ruud Krol introduced defensive midfielder Ahmed Abdul-Raouf instead of Tamer Abdul-Hamid to up the team's tempo. Balanced Half Petrojet couldn't maintain their first-half domination but Zamalek failed to take advantage. Magdi Attwa replaced Zamalek skipper Hazem Emam and made a notable impact shortly afterwards. He provided some neat passes to Ashraf, who was far from his best as he failed to impose any threat. Ivorian striker Zeka Goory should have put the hosts in front midway through the second half. He ghosted behind the below-par Wissem El-Abdi to get to the end of Osama's mis-hit shot, but his close-range effort was denied by Abdul-Monsef. Breathtaking Ten Minutes The last ten minutes were full of action, with both teams making late attempts to snatch a precious victory. Amr Zaki's header from Attwa's corner went just wide. The combative striker missed another dangerous opportunity six minutes from time. After a goal-mouth scramble, Zaki's close-range shot was blocked by the keeper with the goal at his mercy. Despite their numerical disadvantage after the in-form Osama was sent-off, Petrojet claimed a precious victory towards the end. Shaaban, without facing any pressure, let fly from 25 years and his shot found its way past Abdul-Monsef.
