Zamalek beat Orange 4-0 in second pre-season friendly

Zamalek continued their preparations for the new season with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Orange at The Club Stadium in the Administrative Capital.

Ahmed Fattouh and Mostafa El Zenary scored in the first half, before substitute Ahmed Hossam added a third after the interval. Orange then completed the scoring when one of their defenders turned a cross into his own net.

The match was Zamalek’s second friendly ahead of the coming campaign. They began their pre-season programme with a 3-0 win over Plastic.

Zamalek will play their final warm-up match against Modern Sport on Sunday, 16 August, at the Cairo Stadium’s secondary pitch. They then begin their league title defence against Al Ittihad Alexandria on Friday, 21 August.

Zamalek started brightly and took the lead after only five minutes. Ahmed Fattouh collected the ball outside the penalty area before striking a powerful shot beyond the Orange goalkeeper.

The hosts continued to press for a second goal and doubled their advantage in the 27th minute. Ahmed Sherif delivered an accurate cross, which Adi El-Dabbagh laid into the path of Mostafa El Zenary. The defender finished the move with a shot into the net.

Zamalek came close to extending their lead before the interval when Mahmoud Bentayg sent a dangerous cross into the area in the 37th minute. However, none of the attacking players managed to make contact and the Egyptian side went into half-time 2-0 ahead.

Zamalek’s starting XI was: Mohamed Sobhi; Mahmoud Bentayg, Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh, Mostafa El Zenary and Omar Gaber; Mohamed Shehata, Mohamed El Sayed and Ahmed Fattouh; Ahmed Abdel Rahim “Isho”, Ahmed Sherif and Adi El-Dabbagh.

At the beginning of the second half, the coaching staff made several changes to the line-up. Mohamed Sobhi remained in goal, with Mahmoud Bentayg, Mohamed Ismail, Mostafa El Zenary and Omar Gaber in defence. Ahmed Khodary, Mohamed Shehata and Ahmed Rabie formed the midfield, while Adam Kaied, Hossam Ashraf and Adi El-Dabbagh led the attack.

Hossam Ashraf narrowly missed the opportunity to score Zamalek’s third in the 54th minute. Omar Gaber’s cross found him inside the area, but his header went just wide of the post.

Moataz Gamal then introduced El-Sayed Osama, Ahmed Hossam, Mohamed Farah, Mahmoud Gihad and Mohamed Hamad, replacing Mostafa El Zenary, Mahmoud Bentayg, Omar Gaber, Mohamed Shehata and Adi El-Dabbagh.

The changes quickly produced another goal. Ahmed Hossam rose to meet a precise corner from Adam Kaied and headed the ball into the net in the 61st minute.

Youssef Wael “Fransy” replaced Ahmed Khodary in the 78th minute as Zamalek continued to control the contest.

The fourth goal arrived five minutes from time when an Orange defender attempted to clear a cross from Mohamed Hamad but instead directed the ball into his own goal, completing Zamalek’s 4-0 victory.