Egypt, S.Arabia step up trade ties through coordination council talks    Egypt reviews progress on $200m World Bank-funded waste management hub    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    SCZONE, Tokyo Metropolitan Government sign MoU on green hydrogen cooperation    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egyptian pound down vs. US dollar at Monday's close – CBE    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Preview: Relaxed Zamalek eye derby upset
Published in FilGoal on 23 - 04 - 2009

Although they are out of contention for the Egyptian Premier League title, Zamalek will be looking forward to upsetting their arch-rivals Ahli in the Cairo derby on Thursday.
The White Knights have lost hope of claiming a domestic triumph after suffering a series of losses this term due to a severe dip in form.
But now they are kept on an even keel, following the promotion of several influential youths to the senior team, including Hazem Emam, Ahmed Al-Merghani and Sabri Rahil.
"I can't see why we can't defeat Ahli. I believe our chances of winning the game are equal to those of our opponents," said Zamalek assistant coach Sami Al-Sheshini.
"We fully trust our young players and they are determined to beat Ahli and maintain their fine run of results."
Zamalek defeated the Red Devils only once in their last nine meetings, when Ahli fielded a second-string line-up in 2007.
The Ahli-favoring head-to-head record could be a strong motive for the recently-promoted youths, who might seal a precious win that a previous squad of veterans failed to register in the past few years.
Defeating Ahli in the upcoming match would also jeopardize the defending champions' title chances, which could act as catalyst to put an end to their local supremacy over the past four years.
Ahli are in second place in the table with 52 points, with five matches remaining including their clash with six-placed Zamalek.
Ismaili are two points clear on top, but they played two games more than Ahli.
Crucial
Ahli assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri conceded the forthcoming derby will be of the utmost importance.
"This derby will be different from any other derby during the last five years because the result will be crucial for us," Al-Badri told Ahli's official site.
"In recent years, I think matches against Zamalek were not that significant to our league position.
"I believe if we won maximum points from our next two games, we will be so close to being champions."

On the other hand, Manuel Jose's assistant believes that Zamalek are not under such a pressure, given that they are not targeting the silverware.
"Zamalek are buoyant by their recent win over Petrojet; also they are under no pressure because they're out of the title race, so they should play with no nerves," he added.
Zamalek boss Michel Decastel proved Al-Badri right.
FilGoal.com learnt that the Swiss coach told his players the Cairo Derby is just like any other league fixtures, stressing that his objective is to build a combative squad for the next season.
He also assured that the result won't really matter for him.
On the Sidelines
Ahli midfielder Mohamed Barakat and defender Shadi Mohamed have been both ruled out of anticipated encounter with injuries.
Mercurial Barakat has been suffering from a hamstring problem that kept him out of Ahli's games against Ghazl Mahalla and Kano Pillars.
Skipper Mohamed won't feature against Zamalek due to a muscle injury that also forced him to sit out the Pillars game.
Zamalek, on the other hand, should have regular keeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed available after he recovered from an ankle injury.
Read also:
Zamalek banking on youth vitality in Cairo derby
Barakat, Shadi out of Cairo derby
Zamalek focus on mental factor
Belgian De Bleeckere to referee Cairo derby


Clic here to read the story from its source.