Zamalek defeats Smouha, wins Egyptian Cup title

CAIRO – 15 May 2018: Zamalek defeated Smouha on Tuesday night in the Egyptian Cup final to achieve their 26th Cup title.



Smouha opened the score after five minutes by Hossam Hassan who received a wonderful pass from Mohamed Hamdy Zaki to grant his team an early lead in the game.



Zamalek players had many chances to score through Mohamed Antar, Kabongo Kasongo and Youssef Obama, but Smouha goalkeeper El Mahdi Soliman saved all their attempts to end the first half 1-0 for Smouha.

In the second half, Smouha players were shocked when the referee, Mohamed Farouk, sent Hossam Hassan off and they had to continue the game with 10 players.



Zamalek equalized the score 10 minutes before the final whistle by Kasongo, who met Hamdi Nagguez’s cross by a stunning header to make the score 1-1.



Both teams failed to score in the remaining minutes of the regular time and the game went into extra time, which ended with the same result, so the title had to be decided in penalty shootouts.

Zamalek players scored five penalties, while Smouha defender Abdullah Bakry missed a penalty, granting Zamalek the title.

Zamalek repeated their victory over Smouha in 2014 in the Cup final, when Zamalek went on to defeat Smouha 1-0 and achieve the title.

Zamalek is set to face the league champions, Al-Ahly, in the Egyptian Super Cup.