Zamalek squander a host of chances against Al-Ittihad, open the league with a disappointing draw

Zamalek began their new campaign in the Egyptian Premier League with a disappointing goalless draw against Al-Ittihad Al-Sakandary, in the match that brought the two sides together in the competition’s opening round, which saw a large number of chances squandered by both sides.

The White Knight came out with clear attacking intent, leaning heavily on a lively right flank led by Omar Gaber. He was his side’s most dangerous player, whipping in several well-placed crosses. Oday Dabbagh failed to deal with one as he should have, and another flashed across with nobody on the end of it.

Nasser Mansi nearly broke the deadlock early with a superb header that drifted just wide of the post. The same man then wasted the biggest chance of the half. Adam Kaied slipped him a magical pass to put him clean through, but he fired wide.

Ahmed Sherif kept the sequence of misses going. He tried more than once: one shot straight into the goalkeeper’s hands, another over the bar, a third past the post.

Al-Ittihad Al-Sakandary refused to sit back and watch. Pascal came close to snatching the opener with a powerful strike, only for Mahdi Soliman to keep it out brilliantly and spare Zamalek a certain goal. The first half ended goalless after Al-Ittihad keeper Sobhy Soliman protected his goal from one last chance.

The two teams traded harmless attempts at the start of the second half. Then Zamalek threatened again through a powerful strike from Adam Kaied that Sobhy Soliman shone in keeping out, while Oday Dabbagh squandered a clear chance the referee ruled offside.

Everything sparked into life in the closing minutes. Zamalek’s players appealed for a penalty. Al-Ittihad hit back with a dangerous chance of their own, their striker rounding Mahdi Soliman and looking certain to score, until El-Wensh threw himself into a decisive intervention to save his team.

Sobhy Soliman carried on his fine form to keep a clean sheet, producing a superb save from a dangerous Shikabala Banza effort and securing a valuable point in the league opener.

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