Al Najma, Manama Secure Top-Flight Spots
TDT | Manama
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Matchday 2 of the 2025–2026 Bahrain promotion and relegation play-offs confirmed the final composition of next season’s Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League last night. With all four sides now aware of their fate, Al Najma retained their top-flight status, Manama secured promotion, Budaiya were relegated, and Al Ettihad remained in the First Division.
At Bahrain National Stadium, Al Najma completed a perfect play-off campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over Budaiya. They took the lead just before half-time when Ali Al Doseri reacted quickest after Faisal Bodahoom’s corner was cleared and struck a loose ball from around 30 yards, finishing low into the bottom corner.
Coach Mohamed Shamlan’s side doubled their lead in the 55th minute through Saleh Al Zubaidi, who converted from close range after another dangerous Bodahoom delivery bounced inside the box. Their momentum was briefly disrupted in the 75th minute when Al Doseri was sent off following a VAR review for an accidental stamp on Qassim Saeed, reducing them to ten men for the closing stages.
Despite the dismissal, Al Najma remained in control and sealed the win in stoppage time. Budaiya captain Nawaf Abdulla played a poor back pass under pressure from Zachary Hadji, who was then brought down by Qassim Saeed inside the area, earning a penalty. The Moroccan stepped up and scored down the middle for his third goal of the play-offs to complete the 3-0 victory.
Meanwhile, at Al Ahli Club Stadium, Manama were equally dominant in a 3-0 win over Al Ettihad, confirming their return to the top flight. They opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Suelynton Thiago Silva de Lima Brito met a Nemanja Nikolic cross with a diving header into the corner.
Shortly after the restart, Al Ettihad were awarded a penalty and sensed a route back into the match. However, after reviewing the incident on the monitor, referee Mohammed Bunafoor overturned his decision and ruled that Manama goalkeeper Mohamed Hassan had made a clean tackle.
The moment proved crucial as Manama doubled their advantage in the 61st minute through Pablo Augusto Servo de Carvalho, who turned home from close range following a set piece. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR review overturned the flag and confirmed the strike. Carvalho added his second five minutes later, reacting quickest to a corner to extend the lead and put the result beyond doubt.
With Al Najma and Manama confirmed in the 2026–27 Nasser Bin Hamad Bahrain Premier Football League, the final round of fixtures on May 30 will not affect promotion or relegation. Al Ettihad will face Budaiya at Al Ahli Club Stadium, while Al Najma meet Manama at Bahrain National Stadium, with both matches kicking off at 7pm.
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