Zhytomyr's Polissya advanced confidently to the Ukrainian Cup quarter-finals, defeating amateur side Novyi Rozdil from the Lviv region 2-0 in the tournament's Round of 16. Ruslan Rotan's team left the opponent no chance, scoring both goals in the first half and demonstrating a clear superiority in all key metrics. This victory became the second consecutive win for Zhytomyr in the current cup campaign and confirmed the status of a professional team in a matchup against an amateur side.
First Half Decided the Outcome: Two Precise Strikes in 33 Minutes
The game followed the script typically seen in matches between professional and amateur teams. As early as the 10th minute, Polissya forward Oleksandr Filippov opened the scoring, capitalizing on one of his team's first dangerous chances. Afterwards, the Zhytomyr side kept pressing, putting pressure on the opponent's goal, and in the 33rd minute, Mykola Hayduchyk doubled the hosts' lead. Thus, even before the break, the outcome of the match was practically sealed, leaving Novyi Rozdil without realistic opportunities to turn the tide.
Second Half: Control Without Rush
After the break, Polissya somewhat lowered the tempo of the game, which is typical tactics for a team already holding a comfortable two-goal cushion. The Zhytomyr players kept possession, controlled the game, and did not allow the amateurs from the Lviv region back into the match. According to sources, Polissya held a significant advantage in both shots and possession throughout the entire encounter. Novyi Rozdil tried to respond, but the amateur team lacked the stamina for a prolonged confrontation with a professional squad.
Polissya's Cup Journey: Starting from the Round of 32
It is worth noting that Polissya entered the Ukrainian Cup at the Round of 32 stage, where the team also secured a 2-0 victory by defeating Kudrivka. In that match, Mykola Hayduchyk scored a brace, while Leandre Andrade also added to the score. Thus, Hayduchyk has scored in two consecutive cup matches, becoming one of the team's key players in the current tournament. Filippov, by contrast, scored for the first time in this cup campaign, adding depth to Polissya's attacking potential.
Novyi Rozdil: Two Steps to Zhytomyr
The amateur club from the Lviv region approached the match against Polissya after two victories in previous rounds. First, Novyi Rozdil defeated Kyiv's Atlet 2-1, and then overcame Ahrotekh 3-1. These results demonstrate that amateur football in Ukraine is capable of competitive matches, but against a professional team from Zhytomyr, Novyi Rozdil was clearly beyond its limits.
Matchday Context: Kharkiv Also Eliminated an Amateur Club
On the same matchday in the Round of 16 of the Ukrainian Cup, another professional club eliminated an amateur opponent. Kharkiv knocked Mayak Sarny out of the tournament. Thus, the Round of 16 matches once again confirmed a pattern: at this stage, professional teams generally advance further, although amateur collectives are capable of occasional brilliant results in earlier rounds.
