Hassan free-kick downs Gouna

A first-half goal from substitute Ahmed Hassan helped Zamalek close the gap on Egyptian Premier League leaders Haras El-Hodoud to two points following a narrow 1-0 win over Gouna at Cairo Stadium on Wednesday. The 36-year-old had been only moments on the pitch after replacing Omar Gaber, who picked up an injury, shortly before the break when he let fly with a long-range free kick, taking his tally to seven league goals. Zamalek’s second successive win moves them to third spot in the league table with 26 points, one behind arch-rivals Ahly and two adrift of surprise package El-Hodoud.   Burly striker Razak Omotoyossi kept Gouna defenders on their toes with a battling display upfront as Zamalek dominated the first half. The Benin international gathered a neat pass inside the area midway through the first half, superbly flicked it past his marker before sending a low shot that was blocked by Gouna’s ex-Zamalek keeper Mohamed Abdel-Monsef. Midfielder Ahmed Tawfik tried to pounce on the rebound but Abdel-Monsef thwarted his follow-up effort. Gouna’s sole first-half chance fell to Arafa El-Sayed, who sent a free header over the bar with following a free kick from the right. Right-back Ahmed Samir shot wide with the goal at his mercy but Hassan made amends two minutes before the interval in superb fashion. The Egypt skipper, the world’s joint most capped player, fired a vicious 30-metre free kick which penetrated the wall and went past Abdel-Monsef. In a dour second half, Gouna pushed forward in numbers to equalize, leaving huge gaps at the back which Zamalek failed to make the most of. Zamalek winger Mahmoud Abdel-Razek “Shikabala” wasted a couple of golden opportunities to put the result beyond doubt in the last five minutes. He latched onto a deft defence-splitting pass to break the offside trap in the 86th minute but his poor attempt to round Abdel-Monsef helped the former Egypt guardian easily clear the danger. Two minutes from time, he cut inside his marker in the 18-yard box but missed the target with a low shot. ahramonline .