Abdel Hadi says Zamalek came close to converting chances against Al Ahly

Zamalek managed to threaten Al Ahly’s goal on several occasions and could have found the net, Medhat Abdel Hadi said after the sides’ high-profile match. The former Zamalek star felt the contest had not lived up to its status.

Abdel Hadi said Al Ahly had approached the match with an unfamiliar style, pressing high and making forward runs. That approach had helped the team take advantage of Zamalek’s play in the first half. Al Ahly also exploited the spaces, making it easier to get to its opponents’ goal.

Abdel Hadi’s assessment was more balanced after the break. He said Zamalek had changed its approach, looked better and pushed to get back into the match and equalise. He also felt that, at times, the technical level of both teams had not matched expectations for the fixture or the standing of the Egyptian league.

Abdel Hadi praised Mohamed Hamdy El Wensh, whom he considered one of Zamalek’s best players. He added, however, that El Wensh had approached the ball before Al Ahly’s second goal on the assumption that a foul would be called in his favour. On that goal, Abdel Hadi also blamed Mohamed Ismail, who he said was responsible for marking the attacker when the shot was taken.

Abdel Hadi also said that, after six rounds of the Egyptian league, no team had yet reached the required consistency in carrying out set pieces.