Black Bulls to face Nepal Police for Aaha Rara Gold Cup title

Pokhara, Feb. 14: Uzbekistan's Black Bulls FC entered the final of the 24th Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup defeating five-time champion Three Star Club at Pokhara Rangasala on Thursday.

Three Star Club, one of Nepal's oldest and most popular domestic club, lost by 4-0 to the visiting side as they target the trophy in their debut.

Black Bulls were the dominating side throughout the game as Three Star strikers and midfielders kept failing around the 18-yard box region. However, Black Bulls capitalised on the chances they created to best the Nepali club.

The first goal for Black Bulls came in the 24th minute with Kuvonchbek Olimov scoring. Olimov's goal was assisted by Shavkatjon Sattorov as he chipped the ball over a couple of Three Star defenders.

Sattorov was seen hunting for goals throughout the game and he also got in the scoresheet as he found the back of the net in the 63rd minute. Sattorov's goal was the third for Black Bulls.

The second goal came in the second half (58th minute) with Asilbek Orifjonov placing his shot comfortably towards the far corner. 

Three Star's goalie Abishek Baral was one of the most busiest player in the game. Baral conceded three, but he saved more and prevented Three Star from facing a more devastating loss.

On the other hand, Three Star were seen not losing hope despite trailing by three goals to nil.

 Nevertheless, the Nepali club could not trouble Black Bull's goalie Jasurbek Rajabov.

"We had a good team on the field but, despite it, we lost. We will look forward to our footballing journey," said Ganesh Khadka, head coach of Three Star. 

While the game was expected to end with Black Bulls leading by three goals, substitute Sayidajmol Davlatjonov made it 4-0 in the 87th minute.

Match referee Prajwol Chhetri was also having a hard time on the field as the game was intense and physical clashes between the players were common since the beginning; it led Chhetri to show yellow cards to multiple players. 

It is the third time that a foreign club has entered the final of the Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup in its 24 editions.

African United, African Root Club and BYSC USA were the three foreign teams to reach the finals in the fourth, 9th and 22nd edition in 2005,2020 and 2022 respectively. African United is the only foreign team to win the title beating Nepal Police Club. 

"We are aiming for the trophy," said Abdulaziz Noshnobaev, head coach of Black Bulls FC, in the post-match conference.  

Black Bulls will face six-time champions of the Aaha Rara Pokhara Gold Cup, Nepal Police Club (NPC), in the final on Saturday.