Hossam Ashraf scores again as Zamalek take the lead against Suez Petrojet

Hossam Ashraf scored for the second consecutive match as Zamalek took the lead against Suez Petrojet in the third round of the Egyptian Premier League.

The forward broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, meeting a cross from Chico Banza with an excellent header to put Zamalek ahead in the league fixture.

The goal marked the first time Ashraf had scored in successive matches for Zamalek. His previous goal came against National Bank of Egypt, before he followed it with another against Suez Petrojet.

Ashraf had played 41 matches for Zamalek before this latest appearance. The goal against Suez Petrojet was his eighth for the club in those 41 games.

It also took his total in the Egyptian Premier League to 21 goals, scored for all of the teams he has represented in the competition.

Zamalek entered the match fifth in the Egyptian Premier League table with four points from their opening two games. They began their campaign with a goalless draw against Al Ittihad Alexandria, before recording a 3-0 victory over National Bank of Egypt.

Suez Petrojet were 14th before the meeting. They drew 1-1 with Assiut Petroleum in the opening round, then suffered a 3-2 defeat by Tala’ea El Gaish in their second match.

Ashraf’s goal came at a significant point in both the match and his personal run of form. Having previously found the net against National Bank of Egypt, he was given the opportunity to build on that contribution when Zamalek faced Suez Petrojet in round three.

The finish also provided Zamalek with the opening goal of the contest. Chico Banza supplied the delivery from which Ashraf produced the decisive header in the 40th minute.

For the striker, the goal combined two milestones: it was his eighth for Zamalek and his 21st in the Egyptian Premier League across all clubs. It was also his first back-to-back scoring sequence for Zamalek since making 41 appearances for the team.

Zamalek’s results before the fixture had left them with four points. Their draw with Al Ittihad Alexandria was followed by the emphatic win over National Bank of Egypt, while Suez Petrojet had taken one point from their opening two games.

Their first match ended level with Assiut Petroleum, with both sides scoring once. Suez Petrojet then lost to Tala’ea El Gaish despite scoring twice, going down 3-2 in the second round.

The match between Zamalek and Suez Petrojet was the third-round meeting in the Egyptian Premier League.

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