Goalkeepers take centre stage as Zamalek and Al Ittihad Alexandria begin season with goalless draw

Zamalek opened their Egyptian Premier League campaign with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Al Ittihad Alexandria after both sides missed a series of clear chances in an entertaining but goalless match.

The White Knights made the more aggressive start, applying pressure through the right flank, where Omar Gaber was particularly influential. The Zamalek player repeatedly delivered dangerous crosses into the penalty area, although Adi El Dabbah failed to make proper contact with one and another went across the box without a team-mate reaching it.

Zamalek came close to taking the lead when Nasser Mansi sent a fine header narrowly past the post. The same player then squandered the clearest opportunity of the first half after Adam Kaied produced an excellent pass to put him through on goal. Mansi, however, guided his effort wide of the target.

Ahmed Sherif also had several opportunities to break the deadlock. One effort was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper, another flew over the crossbar and a third went just wide as Zamalek continued to waste promising openings.

Al Ittihad Alexandria were not content simply to defend and came close to producing a surprise breakthrough of their own. Pascal struck a powerful shot that appeared destined to trouble the net, but Zamalek goalkeeper El Mahdi Soliman made an excellent save to deny him and prevent what looked like a certain goal.

The visitors’ goalkeeper, Sobhi Soliman, was also called upon before the interval and preserved the scoreline with a late save from another Zamalek chance. Both teams therefore went into half-time level at 0-0 despite the abundance of attacking opportunities.

The second half began with the two sides exchanging attempts, although neither initially created a serious threat. Zamalek then increased the pressure, with Adam Kaied forcing Sobhi Soliman into another impressive stop with a powerful strike.

Adi El Dabbah appeared to have a chance to put Zamalek ahead, but the referee ruled that the forward had been offside. The decision ensured that another promising attack ended without a shot being allowed to stand.

The closing stages brought greater urgency from both teams. Zamalek players appealed for a penalty, but Al Ittihad Alexandria soon created a major opportunity at the other end. Their striker dribbled past El Mahdi Soliman and seemed poised to score before the defender Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh intervened decisively on the goal line to keep Zamalek level.

A social media post celebrating the intervention said: “ومين غيره الونش 💪🏹لاعب الزمالك ينقذ الفريق من هدف محقق من على خط المرمى”

Zamalek continued searching for a winner, but Sobhi Soliman completed an outstanding performance with another fine save, this time denying a dangerous effort from Chico Banza. His intervention secured a valuable point for Al Ittihad Alexandria in their opening league fixture and left Zamalek frustrated after failing to convert their numerous chances.

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