It was round three of the Cairo Derby this season between the arch rivals of Egyptian football and it was a derby bursting at the seams with pressure on both coaches and players.
It seemed a lively opening was on the cards following an energetic start from in particular Al Ahly through Mohamed Sherif, who picked out Hussein El-Shahat in the box but the midfielder was unable to make proper contact.
Zamalek looked to go wide and deliver balls into the six-yard area with Mahmoud Shikabala amongst others central in this regard, but the Red Eagles held ground albeit temporarily.
This particular invention from Zamalek nearly reaped benefits in the final minute of the half when Ahmed Zizo propped up unmarked at the far post but his shot was punched by outstanding custodian Mohamed El-Shennawi.
Taher Mohamed seemed to be Zamalek’s main threat for most of the encounter and he nearly opened the scoring in the 53rd when he forced Mohamed Awad into a fine save.
Al Ahly first real threat on goal only came in the 63th minute when Ayman Ashraf tried his luck from long-range, but goalkeeper Awad make a good save to deny him.
The Red Eagles managed to break the deadlock in the 73rd minute when Amr El-Sulaya spilt a long pass into the path of Salah Mohsen who dribbled past Awad to make it, 1-0.
Zamalek targeted an instant response moments thereafter as a free-kick from the edge of the area by Hazem Emam nestled off the top of the net.
Fresh set of faces from the White Knights with 13 minutes to go saw Ahmed Shady recalled for Ahmed Fatoh and Hazem Emam introduced for Hamza Mathlouthi.
Zamalek remained confident and clawed themselves back on level terms eight minutes later when Ferjani Sassi sent a superb first-timer into the bottom corner past the motionless El-Shennawi, 1-1.
The Red Eagles were unable to stage a comeback late on as Walid Soliman worked an angle in the area to force a save off Awad, as the two sides settled for a share of the spoils.
How they lined up:
Ahly: Mohamed El-Shennawi, Mohamed Hani, Badr Benoun, Rami Rabia, Ayman Ashraf, Amr El-Sulaya, Aliou Dieng, Mohamed ‘Afsha’ Magdi, Hussein El-Shahat, Taher Mohamed, Mohamed Sherif
Zamalek: Mohamed Awad, Hamza Mathlouthi, Mahmoud Alaa, Mahmoud El-Wensh, Ahmed Fatouh, Tarek Hamed, Ferjani Sassi, Ahmed Zizo, Achraf Bencharki, Mahmoud Shikabala, Youssef Ibrahim
