Black Bulls FC of Uzbekistan stormed into the final of the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup football tournament with a resounding 4-0 victory over five-time champions Three Star at the Pokhara Stadium in Pokhara on Thursday.

Kuvonchbek Olimov, Asilbek Oriejonov, Shavkatjon Sattorov and Sayidjamol Davlatjonmov found the net for tournament debutants Black Bulls, setting up a title decider against six-time champions Nepal Police Club. The final is scheduled for Saturday.

Black Bulls, comprising mainly second-string players from Uzbekistan Super League side Navbahor Namangan, kept Three Star under pressure from the outset and opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Olimov lashed home a half-volley from a tight angle after Sattorov set him up with an exquisite overhead pass.

Oriejonov doubled the lead in the 58th minute with a moment of individual brilliance. Receiving a low cross from Islomjon Abdukodirov at the edge of the box, he danced past two defenders before rifling a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

With Three Star struggling to mount a response, Black Bulls tightened their grip on the contest. Sattorov made it 3-0 in the 63rd minute with a composed finish, weaving past three defenders before slotting past Three Star goalkeeper Abishek Baral.

Seeking to add fresh impetus, Black Bulls introduced Davlatjonov and Nepali player Randip Paudel in the 68th minute, and the decision paid off handsomely. Both players had previously featured for six-time champions Manang Marshyangdi Club, who are absent from this year’s tournament.

Davlatjonov completed the rout in the 87th minute, capitalizing on a costly error from Baral. The Three Star goalkeeper rushed out to the right edge of the six-yard box in a bid to intercept Paudel, only for the Nepali forward to outfox him and square the ball for Davlatjonov, who made no mistake in finding the empty net.