Polissia vs Shakhtar: match report
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
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Shakhtar women’s team faced Polissia Zhytomyr away in the Ukrainian Cup quarter-finals
Shakhtar women’s head coach Roman Zaiev made three changes compared to the previous match against Polissia in the Vyshcha League: Myronenko, Kotovets, and Henyk came in for Veherych, Pipchenko and Lutsan.
Dynamic play with a lot of chances
The hosts started the game actively, repeatedly reaching the final third and threatening Ustinova’s goal. The first dangerous chance for Shakhtar came from a corner, when Rozlutska won an aerial challenge and attempted a header on target, while Mushchynska came close to scoring in the next attack, shifting into a shooting position and striking just wide of the post. In response, the Orange-and-Blacks launched an extremely dangerous fast break, with Zavidova freeing herself on the flank, running into the penalty area and delivering a cross to Chaika, who was unable to convert the opportunity from a perfect position. In the 15th minute, the hosts took the lead: Mushchynska struck directly from a set piece from distance; Ustinova reacted to the shot but could not hold onto the ball and Sichkarenko played on the rebound. Afterwards, the Miners took control of the ball and tried to respond. In the 29th minute, Zavidova had a chance – her shot went just centimetres wide of the post. The next attack proved productive: Chaika intercepted a turnover from Tarakanova and, with a delicate assist, set up Myronenko for a one-on-one with Danets – 1-1. The end of the first half was tense. After Kornatska’s scoring attempt in the 39th minute, the Miners replied with a dangerous corner routine, but the ball struck the post following a scramble in the goal area.
Danets sent off and an attempt to take the lead
After the break, Veherych replaced Sikorska. The start of the second half was marked by a mutual battle for control, but without any dangerous chances. The first real scoring opportunity came in the 58th minute, when Chaika moved from the flank into the central semicircle and fired towards the bottom corner – the goalkeeper managed to turn the ball out for a corner in a dive. It was from this set piece that Shakhtar restored parity: Holovach was first to pursue rebounds and played the ball to Veherych, who shot into the goal. The Orange-and-Blacks continued to press, and in the next episode Zavidova could have scored, but Danets reacted to her shot. In the 72nd minute, danger arose near Shakhtar’s goal, but Ustinova produced an incredible save to keep out Balina’s attempt from point-blank range. The Miners surged forward, and the Polissia goalkeeper, approaching the ball, committed a last-ditch foul, for which the referee showed her a red card. The final minutes of normal time were played in Polissia’s half, but the home side came closest to scoring when Tarakanova struck on the turn and hit the crossbar. In stoppage time, Myronenko had a chance – again denied by the crossbar. The referee then signalled a penalty shootout.
Veherych opened the shootout, striking confidently down the centre; in response, Sichkarenko placed her shot perfectly into the left corner, leaving Ustinova no chance. Next, Kravchuk scored into the right corner, Ustinova saved Rozlutska’s attempt, and after Chaika’s strike, the ball hit the crossbar. Next up was Kornatska, who struck under the crossbar, while Holovach was unable to beat Snihur. Synko and Starukhina then scored with precision. The match was ultimately decided by Nyzova’s penalty.
Shakhtar women’s team lost to Polissia Zhytomyr in the penalty shootout, ending their Ukrainian Cup campaign. Roman Zaiev’s side will face Seasters away after a two-week league break on December 7.
Polissia Zhytomyr 2-2 (2-1, 0-1; 4-3 on pens) Shakhtar Donetsk
Zhytomyr, Polissia TC
Goals: 1-0 Sichkarenko (15′), 1-1 Myronenko (30′), 2-1 Kornatska (39′), 2-2 Veherych (59′)
Shakhtar: Ustinova, Sikorska (Veherych, 46′), Henyk, Kravchuk, Kotovets, Starukhina, Kuksa, Myronenko, Holovach (c), Chaika, Zavidova
Sent off: Danets (72′, straight red card)
Dynamic play with a lot of chances
The hosts started the game actively, repeatedly reaching the final third and threatening Ustinova’s goal. The first dangerous chance for Shakhtar came from a corner, when Rozlutska won an aerial challenge and attempted a header on target, while Mushchynska came close to scoring in the next attack, shifting into a shooting position and striking just wide of the post. In response, the Orange-and-Blacks launched an extremely dangerous fast break, with Zavidova freeing herself on the flank, running into the penalty area and delivering a cross to Chaika, who was unable to convert the opportunity from a perfect position. In the 15th minute, the hosts took the lead: Mushchynska struck directly from a set piece from distance; Ustinova reacted to the shot but could not hold onto the ball and Sichkarenko played on the rebound. Afterwards, the Miners took control of the ball and tried to respond. In the 29th minute, Zavidova had a chance – her shot went just centimetres wide of the post. The next attack proved productive: Chaika intercepted a turnover from Tarakanova and, with a delicate assist, set up Myronenko for a one-on-one with Danets – 1-1. The end of the first half was tense. After Kornatska’s scoring attempt in the 39th minute, the Miners replied with a dangerous corner routine, but the ball struck the post following a scramble in the goal area.
Danets sent off and an attempt to take the lead
After the break, Veherych replaced Sikorska. The start of the second half was marked by a mutual battle for control, but without any dangerous chances. The first real scoring opportunity came in the 58th minute, when Chaika moved from the flank into the central semicircle and fired towards the bottom corner – the goalkeeper managed to turn the ball out for a corner in a dive. It was from this set piece that Shakhtar restored parity: Holovach was first to pursue rebounds and played the ball to Veherych, who shot into the goal. The Orange-and-Blacks continued to press, and in the next episode Zavidova could have scored, but Danets reacted to her shot. In the 72nd minute, danger arose near Shakhtar’s goal, but Ustinova produced an incredible save to keep out Balina’s attempt from point-blank range. The Miners surged forward, and the Polissia goalkeeper, approaching the ball, committed a last-ditch foul, for which the referee showed her a red card. The final minutes of normal time were played in Polissia’s half, but the home side came closest to scoring when Tarakanova struck on the turn and hit the crossbar. In stoppage time, Myronenko had a chance – again denied by the crossbar. The referee then signalled a penalty shootout.
Veherych opened the shootout, striking confidently down the centre; in response, Sichkarenko placed her shot perfectly into the left corner, leaving Ustinova no chance. Next, Kravchuk scored into the right corner, Ustinova saved Rozlutska’s attempt, and after Chaika’s strike, the ball hit the crossbar. Next up was Kornatska, who struck under the crossbar, while Holovach was unable to beat Snihur. Synko and Starukhina then scored with precision. The match was ultimately decided by Nyzova’s penalty.
Shakhtar women’s team lost to Polissia Zhytomyr in the penalty shootout, ending their Ukrainian Cup campaign. Roman Zaiev’s side will face Seasters away after a two-week league break on December 7.
Polissia Zhytomyr 2-2 (2-1, 0-1; 4-3 on pens) Shakhtar Donetsk
Zhytomyr, Polissia TC
Goals: 1-0 Sichkarenko (15′), 1-1 Myronenko (30′), 2-1 Kornatska (39′), 2-2 Veherych (59′)
Shakhtar: Ustinova, Sikorska (Veherych, 46′), Henyk, Kravchuk, Kotovets, Starukhina, Kuksa, Myronenko, Holovach (c), Chaika, Zavidova
Sent off: Danets (72′, straight red card)
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