Zamalek coach Moataz Gamal insisted his side remain ready to challenge in the Confederation Cup despite settling for a goalless draw with Al Masry.
The two teams played out a 0-0 stalemate at Borg El Arab Stadium on Sunday in the third round of group-stage action.
After the match, Gamal said the result was fair, although both sides had aimed for victory. “We hoped luck would be on our side,” he said. “A draw is a fair outcome for both teams, even though Zamalek and Al Masry both played to win.”
The coach acknowledged that Zamalek had been hampered by several absences but rejected that as an excuse. “We tried to use the Cairo Cup tournament to prepare some players physically,” he explained. “Things will be better in the future.”
Gamal also thanked supporters for turning out despite the weather and timing of the fixture, describing their commitment as typical of Zamalek fans.
He added that each match presents unique challenges and that the team adapts its preparation accordingly. With a league game against Petrojet scheduled in just 48 hours, Gamal warned that his squad would face a demanding run of fixtures. “I told the players the team will be playing 10 matches in a month,” he said. “Some players won’t be able to play 90 minutes, while others will be limited.”
On Adam Kayed’s substitution, Gamal defended the decision, saying the midfielder did not object. “He asked me to let him play another 10 minutes, but I told him it was the best time to substitute him,” he said.
The coach also highlighted the difference in squad depth between the two clubs. “We don’t have a large squad, unlike Al Masry, who had a bench full of excellent players,” he said.
Gamal admitted his side had lacked fortune in front of goal, especially in the second half when Zamalek pressed high. “We tried to divide the game, and in the second half we relied on a high-pressing style, but we lacked luck and couldn’t score,” he said.
He also praised the return of Ahmed Hamdi and Mohamed El Sayed, noting they had not played for three months. “I don’t want to be unfair to them. I’m happy with their return and their performance,” he added.
Despite the draw, Gamal remains optimistic about Zamalek’s chances in the group. “Zamalek is a big team and capable of competing,” he said. “The situation in the group is more difficult, but things aren’t bad, and our goal is to top the group.”
