Vorskla 1-2 Shakhtar
Saturday, March 21, 2026
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Shakhtar women’s team faced Vorskla away in the opening round of the Vyshcha League second stage
The Orange-and-Blacks approached the decisive phase of the season with 29 points, sitting in 5th spot in the table after the first stage of the competition. Vorskla, the reigning national champions, underwent a squad rebuild over the winter and currently sit in 2nd spot with 46 points.
Few chances and a goal just before the break
The opening phase of the match unfolded in a positional battle, with both teams trying to adapt to the difficult pitch at Ltava and establish their passing play. The hosts found their rhythm more quickly and created the first dangerous moment, when Radionova shot from the left side of the box, sending the ball over the crossbar. Shakhtar gradually levelled the game towards the middle of the half and responded with a dangerous attack of their own: shots from Holovach and Chaika were blocked by the opposition, while Marchenko’s follow-up effort was saved by the Poltava side goalkeeper. A great chance fell to the Miners’ captain Holovach, who met a cross in the centre of the box but failed to connect with the ball. Vorskla struck first: in the 43rd minute, Levytska produced a powerful free-kick from around 30 metres, sending the ball under the crossbar.
Comeback with Kotovets’ winning goal
From the start of the second half, Shakhtar players became much more active in attack and created an early dangerous moment: Myronenko broke down the left flank and, entering the box, shot towards the near post – Kharchenko managed to tip the ball behind for a corner, though not without difficulty. Next, Chaika fired over the crossbar from a promising free-kick. Eventually, in the 66th minute, the Orange-and-Blacks levelled the score: after a cross from the left, Marchenko battled with Vorskla defender Hryhorieva and forced her into an own goal – 1-1. Immediately after, Druzhchenko could have put the Miners ahead, but her shot towards the right post was saved by the Vorskla goalkeeper. However, in the 75th minute, Shakhtar did take the lead: Tetiana Kotovets curled a free-kick from the right edge of the box into the near post, making it 1-2. In the 82nd minute, the match was interrupted due to an air raid alert. After the teams returned to the pitch, Shakhtar made a double substitution – Zavidova and Chendei came on. In the closing minutes, the hosts attempted a final push towards Ustinova’s goal, but the Orange-and-Blacks defended solidly and held on to the result.
2-1 – Shakhtar women’s team secured a comeback victory over Vorskla in their first match of the Vyshcha League second stage. The next league match will see Roman Zaiev’s side play against Seasters Odesa in Shchaslyve on March 25.
Vorskla Poltava 1-2 (1-0) Shakhtar Donetsk
Poltava, Ltava
Goals: 1-0 Levytska (43′), 1-1 Hryhorieva (66′, og), 1-2 Kotovets (75′)
Shakhtar: Ustinova, Sikorska, Henyk, Balatska, Kuksa, Kotovets, Marchenko (Zavidova, 82′), Druzhchenko (Chendei, 82′), Myronenko, Holovach (c), Chaika
Few chances and a goal just before the break
The opening phase of the match unfolded in a positional battle, with both teams trying to adapt to the difficult pitch at Ltava and establish their passing play. The hosts found their rhythm more quickly and created the first dangerous moment, when Radionova shot from the left side of the box, sending the ball over the crossbar. Shakhtar gradually levelled the game towards the middle of the half and responded with a dangerous attack of their own: shots from Holovach and Chaika were blocked by the opposition, while Marchenko’s follow-up effort was saved by the Poltava side goalkeeper. A great chance fell to the Miners’ captain Holovach, who met a cross in the centre of the box but failed to connect with the ball. Vorskla struck first: in the 43rd minute, Levytska produced a powerful free-kick from around 30 metres, sending the ball under the crossbar.
Comeback with Kotovets’ winning goal
From the start of the second half, Shakhtar players became much more active in attack and created an early dangerous moment: Myronenko broke down the left flank and, entering the box, shot towards the near post – Kharchenko managed to tip the ball behind for a corner, though not without difficulty. Next, Chaika fired over the crossbar from a promising free-kick. Eventually, in the 66th minute, the Orange-and-Blacks levelled the score: after a cross from the left, Marchenko battled with Vorskla defender Hryhorieva and forced her into an own goal – 1-1. Immediately after, Druzhchenko could have put the Miners ahead, but her shot towards the right post was saved by the Vorskla goalkeeper. However, in the 75th minute, Shakhtar did take the lead: Tetiana Kotovets curled a free-kick from the right edge of the box into the near post, making it 1-2. In the 82nd minute, the match was interrupted due to an air raid alert. After the teams returned to the pitch, Shakhtar made a double substitution – Zavidova and Chendei came on. In the closing minutes, the hosts attempted a final push towards Ustinova’s goal, but the Orange-and-Blacks defended solidly and held on to the result.
2-1 – Shakhtar women’s team secured a comeback victory over Vorskla in their first match of the Vyshcha League second stage. The next league match will see Roman Zaiev’s side play against Seasters Odesa in Shchaslyve on March 25.
Vorskla Poltava 1-2 (1-0) Shakhtar Donetsk
Poltava, Ltava
Goals: 1-0 Levytska (43′), 1-1 Hryhorieva (66′, og), 1-2 Kotovets (75′)
Shakhtar: Ustinova, Sikorska, Henyk, Balatska, Kuksa, Kotovets, Marchenko (Zavidova, 82′), Druzhchenko (Chendei, 82′), Myronenko, Holovach (c), Chaika
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