Substitute Salah Amin struck one minute from time to earn struggling Gaish a valuable 2-2 draw with Zamalek after a frantic ending to Thursday's Egyptian Premier League game. Central defender Mahmoud Fathallah looked to have handed Zamalek their fifth consecutive victory with an 85th-minute volley that put them 2-1 up. But Gaish, playing with ten men following the dismissal of Talaat Moharam for a second bookable offense in the 75th minute, secured a share of spoils after Amin capitalized on a defensive lapse to notch home from close range. The hosts had another player, Mohamed Hafez, sent off in stoppage time for head-butting Zamalek's Ivorian striker Abou Kone in an off-the-ball incident. Kone, who was introduced in the second half to energize Zamalek's attack after lone striker Ahmed Gaafar failed to shine, was guilty of spurning a golden opportunity just before the final whistle. The visitors had taken a 14th-minute lead after a superb individual effort from attacking midfielder Alaa Ali but a free kick from ex-Zamalek man Hossam Abdul-Aal, which looked innocuous, brought Gaish level six minutes before the interval. Zamalek, who are suffering from financial difficulties, remain on top of the league table with 18 points, just one ahead of second-placed and arch rivals Ahli who played two games less. Surprise package Police Union can leapfrog Zamalek if they beat Smouha on Friday. Stubborn Opponent Gaish once again proved a stubborn opponent to Zamalek despite sitting second from bottom in the 16-team table.
Zamalek celebrations were cut short The cagey opening exchanges ended when Ali, who was given a new lease of life recently, opened the scoring in the 14th minute in superb fashion. He collected a pass near the halfway line and jinked into the area unopposed before rifling a left-foot shot into the top corner of the net. Zamalek struggled to carve out spaces in Gaish's defense despite taking the lead as they were not helped by the presence of three central and defensive-minded midfielders. Shikabala and Ali were lively but the sluggishness of Gaafar, who deputized for the injured Amr Zaki, slowed down their tempo. Gaish signaled their intention to keep Zamalek defenders on their toes when Ehab Al-Mahs forced a fine save from keeper Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed in the 25th minute. Abdul-Aal made amends 14 minutes when he arrowed a low free kick past Al-Sayed, who should have done better to save it. Gaish almost went ahead in the 55th minute when Ghanaian marksman Ernest Papa Arko got the better of Amr Al-Safti on the edge of the area before firing a powerful drive that struck the underside of the bar. The match looked as though it was heading for a 1-1 draw but Fathallah, who is known for his aerial prowess, restored Zamalek's advantage with five minutes remaining to take his tally to four goals this season. A cross from left-back Mohamed Abdul-Shafi eluded several defenders and went into the path of the Egyptian international, whose bicycle left-foot kick left the keeper with no chance. The goal sparked mass celebration among Zamalek's faithful but Gaish had the last laugh after a swift counter attack. Amin was found unmarked by a low cross to finish off a neatly-worked breakaway and earn Gaish a share of honors.
