Uzbekistan’s Black Bulls FC: Second foreign club to lift Aaha! Rara Pokhara Gold Cup

Pokhara, Feb. 16: Uzbekistan’s Black Bulls FC lifted the Aaha! Rara Pokhara Gold Cup title in the 24th edition defeating six-time champion Nepal Police Club (NPC) by a score of 3-1 at Pokhara Rangasala on Saturday.

NPC was playing in the final of the tournament for the 11th time in its 24 editions eying the title for a record seventh time. However, NPC lost the chance to a foreign club once again.

NPC had once lost to African United in the final of the 4th edition in 2005. It was the only time that a foreign club had lifted the Aaha! Rara Pokhara Gold Cup.

But after two decades, a similar scenario repeated as the club from Central Asia bested the departmental side. NPC would have been the most-successful team of the tournament had they won on Saturday as it would have made them the only club to win the Gold Cup seven times; Manang Marsyangdi Club has also won the tournament six times.

Black Bulls FC is not an official club, but a team that was prepared specifically for Nepal. “We were sponsored by Black Bulls, so it is our name. We have nine players who are reserves for FC Navbahor, a professional club of Uzbekistan, in the squad,” said Sayidjamol Davlatjonov, a player for Black Bulls. Davlatjonov had also played for MMC previously.

However, head coach Abdulaziz Nishonbaev and Davlatjonov stressed that they had prepared the team to win titles in Nepal. “It was not a win by luck, we were ready for it,” the duo echoed in the post-match conference.

Similarly, head coach Nishonbaev stressed that his squad would now set eyes in the 3rd KP Oli Cup. Black Bulls’ main target was the KP Oli Cup, but they also got a chance in Pokhara.

NPC was pressing extensively at first, but after goalie Satrudhan Chaudhary made a blunder in the 36th minute during a freekick, Black Bulls led by 1-0 and NPC’s momentum was affected. Captain Jakhongir Akhmadov scored the first goal for the team.

“It was a major mistake by our goalkeeper due to which we lost our momentum. We also lacked defensively,” said Chetan Ghimire, head coach for the NPC.

The second and third goals came in the second half with Asilbek Orifjonov and Shavkjatjon Sattorov scoring in the 59th and 66th minutes respectively.

NPC was struggling with 20 minutes left, but a freekick in the 79th minute allowed NPC to score one. The shot by Ujwal Rai was deflected off Alijon Alijonov when he tried to clear the ball with a header; it was awarded as an own goal.

“We had a chance at the end after we scored one but we could not capitalise. I am not happy for the loss but we had a young team, so reaching the final was alone a big feat,” said coach Ghimire, who added, “My players are improving day by day. I have set my eyes on the A-Division League and, until then, we will be ready.”

The winning team received Rs. 1.2 million. 

Best performances

Alongside the title of the 24th edition, Black Bulls FC dominated the individual awards as well.

Black Bulls FC’s Shavkatjon Sattorov was the Best Player and High Scorer of the tournament. Similarly, his colleagues Jasurbek Rajabov, Alijon Alijonov, Azibek Khursonboev and Abdulaziz Nishonbaev were adjudged the Best Keeper, Defender, Forward and Coach respectively.

Likewise, NPC’s Ram Wajee received the award for the Best Midfielder while India’s Thunderbolt North United was feted with the Fair Play award.

Aaha Rara’s fame

The tournament saw the biggest crowd of the edition in the final game as a Nepali club was facing a foreign club. However, the northern and southern stands of the 16,500-capacity Pokhara Rangasala were empty, the eastern stand was also not completely pack, and the western stand, which also accommodates guests and VVIPS, saw a full-house crowd.

“The crowd and environment is not similar to what it used to be in Pokhara in the early years of the tournament. The ticket rates are rising, but I am thankful that senior citizens were granted free entry,” said Rudum Bahadur Gurung, a senior citizen who was watching the final at Pokhara Rangasala.

Similarly, adults argued that the tournament was lacking proper coordination with the locals. Several adults who were in the stadium to watch the final had not followed the tournament’s knockout-stage games.

Nevertheless, the tournament organiser, Sahara Club, informed that they were doing their best to bring the fame of the tournament back on track.

“The provincial government is trying to develop Pokhara as a spot for sports tourism. Aaha Rara Gold Cup is a major stakeholder in that dream. We are thankful for this tournament and its legacy and we will also do our best to support the sports sector,” said Surendra Raj Pandey, Gandaki Province Chief Minister.