Half-time
Class act
By
Inas Mazhar
Saturday was definitely Zamalek's day. The club not only beat Ahli in their classic encounter but did so in a convincing fashion. In addition, they heated up the league race by cutting down Ahli's lead to only two points with four matches to go.
It's been a long time since Zamalek was this good; so disciplined they were against Ahli. Every player knew exactly what he was supposed to do and did so in exquisite fashion, so much so that even Ahli supporters were forced to concede how dominant Zamalek were.
Zamalek's 3-1 victory had their fans ecstatic as it helped erase bitter memories of having lost to Ahli 6-1 last year, the highest score ever in their 90-plus encounters and the worst loss Zamalek had ever suffered.
The triumph does not necessarily mean that Zamalek will capture the league trophy this season. If anything, Ahli's lead, though slim, still has them in relatively better shape as we come down the stretch. But there is no doubt that the win will inject renewed vigour in Zamalek and will shake Ahli's confidence significantly.
There is also Zamalek's self- satisfaction of beating Ahli in what is commonly described as the No.1 rivalry in Africa and the Arab world. And with the league advancing towards its conclusion, Zamalek is undoubtedly proud of being the only team to beat Ahli this year.
The game also offered a forum for the head coaches: Ahli's Dutchman Jo Bonfrere and Brazil's Capral of Zamalek. Bonfrere is a world renowned coach after having led Nigeria to a gold medal in Olympics football, in the 1996 Atlanta Games, the first soccer gold for an African country at an Olympics. Capral, on the other hand, has been an unknown journeyman working for several Gulf clubs before signing for Zamalek this year. He has been a revelation, leading Zamalek to three championships in a little over six months. Bonfrere guided Ahli brilliantly in the first half of this season but they have since lost much of their glamour and bite. On Saturday, Capral out-thought Bonfrere in every development, especially the employment of tactics and the use of substitutes.
Capral's unprecedented achievements should land him a renewed contract for next year even though there are reports of an ongoing feud between him and management over salary terms.
Far from the top of the league is its bottom where a fierce battle is going on as several teams try to avoid relegation. The federation is advised to repeat the experience of last season when all matches during the last three weeks were held on the same day at the same time to avoid any possible attempt at rigging games.
