Sports · Football · 1 hr ago
Ghazl El Mahalla exit Egypt Cup after 2-1 defeat to Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad Alexandria beat Ghazl El Mahalla 2-1 in the Egypt Cup, knocking Ghazl El Mahalla out of the competition.
The match was played in Mahalla, where Ghazl El Mahalla are based.
Coach Khaled Galal said the schedule was unfair, saying his team travelled for about four hours after a match against Abu Qir Fertilizers and had only two days before facing Al Ittihad.
He also said Ghazl El Mahalla faced a 22-day stretch without playing, while they were the only team playing that day.
Galal questioned a penalty and sending-off decision, saying video referees should have reviewed the incident more carefully.
Ghazl El Mahalla came close to equalising late, but Al Ittihad goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman made crucial saves.
Al Ittihad advance in the knockout cup, while Ghazl El Mahalla are eliminated.
Al Ittihad beat Ghazl El Mahalla 2-1 to eliminate them from the Egypt Cup.
The match was a Round of 32 fixture played at Ghazl El Mahalla Stadium in Mahalla.
Ghazl El Mahalla coach Khaled Galal criticized the match schedule, saying his team had a long journey and only two days between games.
Galal also questioned the handling of a penalty incident and a sending-off, and said the team came close to equalizing.
He praised Al Ittihad goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman, whose late saves helped secure the win.
- Who
- Al Ittihad beat Ghazl El Mahalla, whose coach is Khaled Galal.
- What
- Al Ittihad won 2-1 in the Egypt Cup Round of 32, eliminating Ghazl El Mahalla.
- When
- November 4, 2026.
- Where
- Ghazl El Mahalla Stadium in Mahalla.
- Why
- Al Ittihad won the match and advanced; Galal said late saves by goalkeeper Sobhi Soliman helped decide it.
Ghazl El Mahalla
Match officials
Scheduling
Ghazl El Mahalla
Coach Khaled Galal said the schedule disadvantaged his team after a difficult trip and only two days between matches.
Match officials
Not stated
Penalty decision
Ghazl El Mahalla
Galal said the VAR officials should have reviewed the penalty incident more carefully, citing his player’s denial of contact.
Match officials
Not stated
Ghazl El Mahalla beat Al Ittihad 2-1 in a league match, according to the preview article.
Al Ittihad beat Ghazl El Mahalla 2-1 in the Egypt Cup Round of 32.
- Result
- Al Ittihad 2-1 Ghazl El Mahalla
- Competition
- Egypt Cup, Round of 32
- Venue
- Ghazl El Mahalla Stadium, Mahalla
- Ghazl El Mahalla coach
- Khaled Galal
- Al Ittihad goalkeeper
- Sobhi Soliman
3 sources
What people are saying
How will we be denied playing for 22 consecutive days, we are the only team that played today, and I demand that officials provide a logical explanation for what is happening, as this falls short of the minimum standards of equal opportunity.
Although the incident looked like a penalty from the outside, Muath confirmed to me that he did not touch the player. The VAR officials should have waited and reviewed the incident carefully before making such a decisive call.