High controversy, debut goals, emphatic comeback and a crushing scoreline as Zamalek opened their league season with a 6-1 victory over the hapless Ghazl Mahalla. Although it was a one-side game, the Whites were helped by a couple of dubious goals from Amr Zaki on route to their highest scoring victory since a 7-3 win over Sharkia in 2000. Mahalla took the lead through Ghanaian striker Samuel Owusu but Mahmoud Fathallah equalized for Zamalek with his third goal against his former club. Ahmed Hassan grabbed his league-debut goal between Zaki's dubious brace, with linesman Khaled Sobhi at the center of action in the first half. Ten minutes from the end, Mido came off the bench to score on his returning debut from the spot, while the other substitute striker Hussein Hamdi completed the rout with his first touch. Crazy half and high controversy The first half was absolutely hectic with Mahalla taking the lead against the run of play, courtesy of a remarkable counter attack move finished off by Owusu. Fathallah was there again to haunt his old club with the equalizer on 17 minutes, heading home Shikabala's corner. Mahalla were dealt a blow before the 25th minute when injured keeper Ibrahim Farag had to go off for deputy Sameh Ali, whose ill-fated night started with a moment of absolute controversy. Only linesman Sobhi saw that Zaki's effort crossed the line! Two minutes past the half-hour mark, it was four when Hassan applied a clinical finish to notch home Shikabala's through pass. And the scoreline was put beyond doubt when Zaki was at the center of another dubious refereeing decision, with a clear suspicion of handball. The controversy takes nothing from the Zamalek forward's brilliant control and finish though. Substitutes complete it The second half was nothing like the first until Mido came on for Ahmed Gaafar to score the fifth from a penalty that was well-won by Mohamed Abdul-Shafi ten minutes from time. Three minutes later, summer recruit Hamdi was the latest to hit his league-debut strike, following another terrific assist from the superb Abdul-Shafi. After the match, Mahalla coach Salah Al-Nahi announced his resignation, saying he ‘will never go to Mahalla again'.
