---
title: "Drama in the UPL playoffs: 'Kudrivka' survives on penalties and stays in the elite"
description: "🔥 Drama in the UPL playoffs: 'Kudrivka' survives on penalties and stays in the elite! ⚽️ The match against 'Aghrobiznes' ended 2:2, but the Chernihiv team proved stronger in the penalty shootout (3:2). This is already the second time this year that the club has snatched victory in the final minutes! 🏆"
date: 2026-06-09T17:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/drama-in-the-upl-playoffs-kudrivka-survives-on-penalties-and-stays-in-the-elite
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Drama in the UPL playoffs: 'Kudrivka' survives on penalties and stays in the elite

![Kudrivka player in white kit strikes the ball under pressure from three opponents in navy blue during a dramatic UPL playoff match — pivotal moment before the penalty shootout](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/09/kudrivka-spaslas-v-serii-penaltei-i-ostalas-v-elite/kudrivka-spaslas-v-serii-penaltei-i-ostalas-v-elite-1.webp)

### Season finale: 'Kudrivka' vs 'Aghrobiznes'

On Tuesday, June 9, the Ukrainian football world witnessed one of the most tense confrontations of the season. In the decisive return leg of the playoffs for the right to compete in the Premier League, two fundamentally different teams met. On one side was 'Aghrobiznes' from Volochysk, which finished fourth in the First League and dreams of returning to the elite. On the other was 'Kudrivka', which spent its debut season in the top division and fought to keep its place.

The first match, played away, ended in a goalless draw. The Volochysk club played solidly in defense, which gave hope for success in the home game. However, the return match turned into a real chess game with elements of drama.

### Chronology of events: from a disallowed penalty to salvation

'Kudrivka' started the match strongly and took the lead in the first half. On the 40th minute, Macheliuk scored. Notably, shortly before this, referee Alexander Shandor, using the VAR system, disallowed a penalty against 'Aghrobiznes' for a dive by the same Macheliuk. This episode became the first indicator that the match would be difficult.

After the break, the Volochysk club made desperate attempts to equalize. A series of substitutions allowed them to freshen up the attack, and on the 69th minute, Kozak capitalized on his chance, leveling the score at 1:1.

However, nine minutes before the end of regular time, Legkostayev appeared on the field and immediately put 'Kudrivka' ahead — 1:2. It seemed that the visitors had practically secured their place in the Premier League. But in stoppage time, 'Aghrobiznes' was awarded a penalty. Tolochko confidently converted the kick and sent the tie into extra time with the score at 2:2.

### Penalty shootout: 'Kudrivka's' nerves proved stronger

The extra thirty minutes did not produce a winner, and the fate of the place in the elite was decided in a post-match penalty shootout. In this lottery, the nerves of the 'Kudrivka' players proved stronger: they won with a score of 3:2.

Thus, 'Kudrivka' retained its place in the Premier League for the 2026/27 season. This is already the second time in the club's history that it has survived on penalties. A year ago, the team from Chernihiv region won the right to play in the elite in exactly this way, defeating Poltava's 'Vorskla' in the transition matches.

### Season results and prospects

Now 'Kudrivka' will spend its second consecutive season among the strongest clubs in the country, confirming its status. For 'Aghrobiznes', this season ended in a painful defeat, despite the stubborn fight. Interestingly, it was previously reported that a participant in the European competition race in the UPL will change its name, colors, and logo, adding intrigue to the future of Ukrainian football.