Zamalek boss Hossam Hassan put the result before performance following the hard-fought victory over Ghazl Mahalla on Monday. A first-half penalty from Mahmoud Fathallah downed the Peasants in Mahalla, giving Hassan his 11th victory with the team. "The game was too difficult against a very enthusiastic Mahalla side," the Egypt legend said in the post-match conference. "Mahalla played very well and that's how most teams face Zamalek and Ahli, but I am satisfied with the result. "I think my players were in a good shape despite the number of absentees. It shows that we have a full squad ready to take part of any game. "We missed Hassan Mostafa and Ibrahim Salah in midfield, but Ahmed Abdul-Raouf played well."
Radwan claims 'offside' Offside Mahalla manager Mohamed Radwan blamed referee Yasser Abdul-Raouf for the narrow defeat, questioning the build-up that led to the winning goal. Ahmed Gaafar won a controversial penalty after a negligible contact with Mahalla keeper Ibrahim Farag. However, Radwan had a different complaint. "The referee's mistake resulted in our defeat because Gaafar was offside when he received the ball," the Mahalla boss said. "I think the second half was one-sided and we wasted more than a chance, but I also believe my players gave in a good performance against Zamalek." Mahalla are 12th in the Egyptian Premier League table, only three points off the relegation zone.
