Najma finish play-offs unbeaten, Budaiya sign off with victory

Al Najma completed the relegation/promotion play-offs unbeaten after defeating Manama 3-2 in yesterday’s concluding round of matches, while Budaiya ended their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Al Ettihad.

The final matchday had no bearing on the outcome of the mini league, with the two Premier League places already decided after the opening two rounds. Al Najma had secured their top-flight status, while Manama had booked a return to the Nasser bin Hamad Bahrain Premier League. Budaiya, meanwhile, were already relegated to the First Division, while Al Ettihad's stay in the second tier had been confirmed.

At Al Ahli Stadium, Manama struck first in the 10th minute through Ali Meftah following a slick passing move down the left flank. Isa Abdulla delivered the final pass into the box and Meftah finished first time to give his side the lead.

Najma levelled in the 56th minute through Adel Al Romaihi, whose superb curling effort from just inside the area following a short corner flew into the top-right corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

Substitute Zachary Hadji put Najma ahead in the 73rd minute when he met a short pass from Faisal Bodahoom inside the box and guided a first-time finish into the corner.

Just three minutes later, Al Romaihi grabbed his second of the evening after capitalising on a defensive error. He dispossessed Sayed Hassan Al Moosawi in the final third, advanced into the penalty area and calmly slotted home to make it 3-1.

Hussain Akbar pulled one back for Manama seven minutes later, but Najma held on for the win.

Meanwhile, at the Bahrain National Stadium, Budaiya secured their first victory of the play-offs with a 1-0 triumph over Al Ettihad.

Abdullah Al Bahrani scored the game’s only goal in the 14th minute after Mohamed Al Shamsi dispossessed an Al Ettihad player and surged down the right wing into the penalty area. He then squared a pass to the back post, where Al Bahrani arrived to tap a first-time finish into the roof of the net.

The second half remained goalless as Budaiya held firm to claim all three points.

Najma finished top of the four-team standings with a perfect nine points from three matches, while Manama ended second on six points. Budaiya finished third with three points, and Al Ettihad were fourth without a point.