Hosts Sahara FC of Pokhara hammered Farwest XI 4-0 in the inaugural match of the 15th Aaha-Rara Gold Cup at Pokhara Stadium on Tuesday.

Ajayi Martins Kayode scored a brace with Peter Segun and Richard Pun adding one each as the hosts made their way into the last eight with a convincing victory. On Wednesday, Nepal Armed Police Force Club will take on Dharan Football Club.

In the first encounter between the two teams, Sahara went ahead in the sixth minute when Martins scored with a brilliant run in a counter attack. Pun doubled their lead in the 27th minute with a powerful volley before man-of-the-match Segun struck in the 38th minute to leave Farwest with a huge task in the second half. 

Farwest had several scoring chances wasted and just as they were pushing for at least one goal to save their blushes, Martins struck again in the 81st to seal the victory. Sahara coach Kiran Shrestha said the early goal gave an upper hand for the hosts. 

“I don’t think Farwest are weak opponents. We got an early goal and that put us on the front foot. Our players managed to dominate the opposition because of the first goal,” said Shrestha. His Far West counterpart Susan Joshi was left stunned. 

“This is the worst result in our football history,” said Joshi. “We had never conceded a defeat with such big margin. We did good on the field but the Sahara team that played the Hetauda Gold Cup and Khaptad Gold Cup was comparatively weaker than what we saw today,” said Joshi.

A total of 12 teams are participating in the tournament which is one of the oldest and prestigious knock-out tournaments outside Kathmandu Valley. The winners will take home Rs 501,000 and the runners-up will get Rs 251,000. The best player of the tournament will get a motorbike.