Hatta crowned First Division champions after 3-1 win over Majd, secure promotion to Pro League
Hatta crowned UAE First Division champions after a 3-1 win over Majd, securing promotion to the Pro League under coach Walid Obeid and finishing with 59 points.
Hatta secured the UAE First Division title and a place in next season’s Pro League after a 3-1 victory over Majd in the final round at Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium in Al Ain. The win lifted Hatta to 59 points and ensured the club finished top of the table, while Majd were relegated to the Second Division after ending the campaign with 21 points. The result confirmed a dramatic conclusion to the season and marked Hatta’s return to the top flight under coach Walid Obeid.
Final day at Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium
Hatta sealed the championship in front of a decisive crowd at the Tahnoun bin Mohammed venue, delivering a disciplined and clinical performance to close out the campaign. The hosts struck in the first half and continued to control the game after the interval, converting chances and managing the tempo effectively. Majd pushed for a response late on but their efforts were insufficient to change the outcome or the club’s relegation fate.
Goals and key contributors
Brazilian forward Guilherme Castro opened the scoring in the 42nd minute to give Hatta the lead heading into halftime. Samuel Rosa doubled the advantage immediately after the break in the 46th minute, before Macedonian attacker Shevit Shveti added a third in the 72nd minute to put the match beyond doubt. Majd’s Abdullah Al Hamadi pulled a goal back in the 80th minute, but the strike proved merely a consolation as Hatta maintained their advantage to the final whistle.
Hatta’s promotion in context
This promotion marks Hatta’s fourth return to the UAE Pro League, following previous top-flight campaigns in 2016–17, 2019–20 and 2023–24. The club’s ascent under Emirati coach Walid Obeid reflects a sustained plan of recruitment and squad management that paid off across the season. Obeid’s leadership was credited by club officials and supporters for steering Hatta through a competitive First Division campaign and delivering a timely return to the country’s premier competition.
Impact on Majd and relegation consequences
Majd’s defeat confirmed their drop to the UAE Second Division after a campaign that left them in the penultimate position with 21 points. The club will now face the immediate task of restructuring ahead of the new season as it plans to regroup at a lower level of competition. Players and staff will need to reassess contracts and objectives while the club’s management considers recruitment and development strategies to return to the First Division.
United’s near-miss and Andrea Pirlo’s reaction
Hatta’s title run was aided by a surprise result elsewhere as United, who had earlier secured one promotion slot, lost 2-0 away to Al Hamriyah and finished the season on 58 points in second place. United’s high-profile coach Andrea Pirlo, who guided the club to promotion for the first time in its history, appeared visibly upset after the final-day loss and left the pitch in frustration despite the historic achievement. The club also faces internal decisions about veteran players, with striker Tariq Ahmed publicly indicating he is close to deciding on retirement and will consider his options in the coming weeks.
Other decisive final-round results
The final round produced several matches that confirmed survival and relegation outcomes across the table. Al Jazira Al Hamra beat Fujairah 3-1 in their concluding fixture, while Al Ittifaq overcame Gulf United 2-1 to secure their First Division status. Emirates defeated Al Dhaid 2-1, Dibba Al-Hisn claimed a 2-0 win over City, and Al Orooba edged Masfoot 2-1. Those results helped determine mid-table placings and the clubs that will compete in the First Division next season.
The league’s closing day underscored the competitive balance of the First Division, with promotion and relegation decided in dramatic fashion and multiple clubs facing crucial decisions ahead of the new cycle. Hatta now prepares for the challenges of the Pro League, aiming to build on the momentum of this title-winning campaign and to stabilise its position among the nation’s top teams.
