Ahmed Zaki’s stoppage-time header earns El Gouna draw with Modern Sport

 

El Gouna scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time to snatch a 1-1 draw against Modern Sport in the opening round of the Egyptian Premier League.

Modern Sport appeared to have secured victory when Mahmoud Mamdouh put them ahead in the 94th minute at Khaled Beshara Stadium. However, Ahmed Zaki equalised with a late header four minutes later, ensuring the points were shared in a dramatic finish.

The result was the third successive league draw between the two sides. Neither team found the net during the opening 90 minutes, with both goals arriving deep into added time.

Modern Sport goalkeeper Mustafa Makhlouf played a key role in keeping El Gouna out for most of the match. He produced an important save in the 42nd minute to deny Marwan Mohsen, who had attempted to score with a first-time volley.

Makhlouf was called upon again after the break and once more prevented El Gouna from taking the lead. This time, he stopped a powerful effort from Salah Zayed, struck from inside the six-yard box.

El Gouna had been unable to convert its opportunities, but Modern Sport also struggled to create a decisive opening until the closing stages. With the match still goalless, the visitors eventually took advantage of a serious defensive error by an El Gouna defender.

Mahmoud Mamdouh was left through on goal and finished the chance in the 90th minute plus four to give Modern Sport the lead. The goal appeared to have delivered Modern Sport’s first win of the season and prompted celebrations from the team.

Those celebrations were short-lived.

El Gouna responded in the 90th minute plus eight when Ahmed Zaki rose to head the ball into the net. His late effort rescued a point for the home side and completed a remarkable ending to a match in which all the scoring took place after regulation time.

The 1-1 scoreline means the two clubs remain locked in another league draw, extending a run of three consecutive stalemates between them. Modern Sport were denied the victory by the final kick of the contest, while El Gouna secured a point after appearing to have missed its chance to score.