Polissya Zhytomyr secured a place in the next round of the Ukrainian Cup with a controlled 2-0 victory over Novyi Rozdil on 28 October 2026. The home side managed the tie with maturity, scoring once in each half and limiting their opponents to few clear chances at their Zhytomyr base.

Match overview

The cup fixture paired a Polissya side accustomed to operating at a higher competitive level with a Novyi Rozdil team eager to turn the occasion into an upset. The visitors began with energy and a compact defensive shape, but Polissya gradually imposed their possession game and found the spaces needed to break the resistance.

The opening goal arrived before half-time and gave the hosts a platform to control the second period. Rather than retreating into a narrow lead, Polissya continued to press for a second, and the decisive cushion came after the restart. A 2-0 scoreline reflected their greater control of territory and chances, even if Novyi Rozdil deserve credit for remaining organised for long spells.

Key moments

• First-half breakthrough: Polissya converted a period of sustained pressure into the opening goal, rewarding their patience in possession.
• Second-half cushion: The hosts doubled the advantage after the break, giving themselves breathing room and forcing Novyi Rozdil to open up.
• Defensive discipline: Polissya protected their clean sheet well in the closing stages, dealing with set pieces and late deliveries into the box.
• Cup tie managed: The home side kept their shape and avoided unnecessary risk once the two-goal lead was established.

Tactical story

Polissya’s approach was built on patience and width. The hosts circulated the ball with purpose, looking to draw Novyi Rozdil out of their defensive block before attacking the spaces behind and around the full-backs. Their midfield kept the tempo measured, ensuring the team remained balanced even during extended spells of possession.

Novyi Rozdil defended in numbers and tried to threaten on the counter, but the lower-block strategy required near-perfect concentration for 90 minutes. Once Polissya scored the second goal, the visitors’ ability to stay compact was tested further, and the home side’s game management became the defining feature of the closing half-hour.

Standout performers

Polissya’s attacking players deserve credit for turning territorial dominance into goals, while the midfield unit controlled the rhythm of the match and ensured the defence was rarely exposed. The goalkeeper and back line completed the clean sheet with a composed display against crosses and second balls.

For Novyi Rozdil, the performance offered positives despite the defeat. The underdogs stayed in the tie for long periods, defended with commitment and showed enough spirit to suggest they can take confidence from the cup run, even as Polissya advanced.

What it means

The result sends Polissya Zhytomyr into the next stage of the Ukrainian Cup with momentum and a clean sheet to build on. For a club with ambitions in domestic competition, cup progress matters both for rotation and for the belief it can generate around the squad. Novyi Rozdil exit knowing they made the favourites work for their place in the draw, but the night belonged to the hosts.