Tolba scores late as Zamalek avoid defeat against Smouha

Zamalek scored a 90th minute equaliser to avoid their first defeat under Ahmed Hossam ‘Mido’ against a difficult Smouha side in a 1-1 draw.

Both teams had clear attacking intent from the beginning but it was Zamalek’s star man Mostafa Fathi who nearly created the opening goal. Fathi’s sublime through ball to put Morsi through on goal was not converted by the latter, in fact it was straight at Egypt goalkeeper El-Mahdy Soliman, Kingfut reported.

The visitors struck back however when Hossam Paulo’s shot was just wide after seeing Zamalek keeper El-Shennawy off his line.

Zamalek did suffer a big blow half way through the first half after their midfielder Tarek Hamed had to come off because of an injury. Smouha took advantage of the clear gaps between defense and attack as Amr El-Monoufy played a slick one-two with Paulo before slotting home.

The second half started with Zamalek urgently trying to get back into the game, and for most of it there were hardly any chances.

However, with 35 minutes to go, Shikabala produced a brilliant backheel pass but substitute Mohamed Ibrahim could only hit it straight at the Smouha keeper.

Finally, Zamalek found a vital opportunity. With five minutes remaining Mostafa Fathi was fouled inside the area and a penalty was given. The White Knights looked to be back in the game but their defender Dweidar missed the penalty by some way.

Smouha looked to have the game and the three points secured, that was until Zamalek’s unlikely scorer, left-back Hamada Tolba, scored with a brilliant header to break Smouha players’ hearts and earn the Whites a 1-1 draw.

Source: MENA