Bahrain Promotion Fight Continues

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

The race for promotion to the 2026–27 Nasser bin Hamad Premier League intensified last night as the Bahrain First Division League entered its penultimate round, with crucial victories for Manama, Buri, and Isa Town.

At Hamad Town Stadium, Isa Town produced one of their most convincing performances of the season with a 3–0 win over Al Tadhamun.

Ghanaian forward Sadam Sulley opened the scoring in the 26th minute, meeting a cross from the left wing with a looping header that beat the goalkeeper.

Isa Town doubled their lead in the 38th minute through Jalal Haji, capitalising on a costly mistake by the Al Tadhamun goalkeeper. A poor clearance allowed Sulley to intercept possession and square the ball for Haji, who finished calmly.

Haji completed his brace in the 63rd minute after a well-worked team move. The attack started down the right flank before shifting left, where quick one-touch passing opened up the defence and ended with a simple finish.

The win lifted Isa Town to eighth place on 22 points, while Al Tadhamun remain near the bottom on 12 points.

Meanwhile at Al Ahli Stadium, Manama delivered a statement performance with a 6–2 win over Galali.

Manama led 3–0 at half-time and extended their advantage early in the second half, going 4–0 in the 47th minute and 5–0 in the 59th. Galali responded with goals in the 68th and 82nd minutes, but Manama added a sixth goal four minutes later to seal a dominant victory.

The result moved Manama into third place on 41 points and strengthened their position in the promotion playoff race.

For Galali, the defeat deepened a difficult season. They remain bottom of the table on 12 points, with 16 losses, two wins, and three draws from their campaign.

At FIFA Stadium, Buri edged Umm Al Hassam 2–1 in a tight contest.

Buri took the lead in the 36th minute, before Umm Al Hassam equalised just before half-time. The decisive moment came in the 88th minute, when Buri scored the winner to secure all three points.

Both sides are now level on 26 points, although Umm Al Hassam remain ahead on goal difference.

Round 21 continues tonight with three more fixtures set to complete the matchweek. Etihad Al Reef faces Al Ettihad at Hamad Town Stadium, Al Hala takes on East Riffa at FIFA Stadium, and Al Ettifaq meets Al Busaiteen at Al Ahli Stadium; all matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. kickoffs.

With one round remaining after this weekend, Al Ettifaq and East Riffa have already secured automatic promotion to the top flight after claiming the league’s two direct promotion spots.

The focus now shifts to the playoff places, where the Third and Fourth-placed First Division teams will meet the Ninth and Tenth-placed NPL sides in promotion/relegation matches. The two winners will claim the final spots in next season’s top tier.