A head-to-head duel with Serhii Smykalov's players was crucial to our guys, because earlier in official matches, Phoenix invariably lost to the opposing team in this age category, including in the recent confrontation in Zolochiv (1:5). The fact that opponents are fighting desperately to get to the playoffs added intrigue to the duel, moreover, the teams had equal accumulated score on the eve of the match - 9 points each.
Spectators were looking forward to the start of the game, which did not disappoint the fans. In the current tournament, Persha Stolytsia has already managed to declare itself loudly, defeating Olympic-UFK - one of tournament overdogs - 6:0. With the same enthusiasm, the team of Serhii Smykalov began the game against Phoenix, which managed to bring in a close to optimal lineup. The opponents started the game without traditional due diligence, and already in the debut of the match, Persha Stolysia managed to take the lead. Danylo Polozov's clear run on goal ended with an accurate shot - goalkeeper Volodymyr Lazeba could not prevent the goal.
We have to hand it to our guys for remaining unruffled after the conceded goal. Moreover, gradually, step by step, Phoenix players seized the initiative, creating tough moments at the opponent’s net. Despite the final result, the goalie of Persha Stolytsia is worth mentioning. At the last frontier, Vladyslav Hlushok sometimes acted flawlessly, cleaning up the flaws of his teammates. However, soon the birthday guy of the day Artem Shevchenko regained parity, taking advantage of the uncoordinated actions of the opponent’s player and goalkeeper. The goal scored gave impetus to the attacking combinations of Phoenix, the boys clearly showed no sign of letting up.
To confirm that, there was a handsome goal by Daniil Dudin, who curled the ball into the net of the opposition with a long-range shot. Danylo Boldyzhev, in his turn, was unlucky up to a certain point. He could not beat the goalkeeper of the opposition in close-ins. Nevertheless, one of the most prominent Phoenix players achieved his aim, and Artem Shevchenko helped him in this, having managed to facilitate his skipper's 'face-to-face' with the guard of the opponent’s goal. As a result, Danylo Boldyzhev managed to outplay his opponent only after a second try, scoring the third goal.
Artem Shevchenko quite successfully coped with the role of a pivot, and after one of such kicks he managed to send the ball exactly as intended for the second time in the last match. In this game episode, having beaten his opponent, he reached the shooting position and left no chance for the goalkeeper of Persha Stolytsia. Phoenix players left for a break with positive emotions, although the coaches had things to say to the guys before the start of the second half.
Serhii Smykalov's players began the second half of the match rather actively, forcing Volodymir Lazeba to seriously step in on several occasions. Soon our guys carried out an exemplary goal attack. The role of the assistant was executed by Demyd Yevsyukov, and Olexandr Bezruk struck the resultant blow, having closed a cross on the far post. Having achieved a major lead, Phoenix players slowed down a bit, remembering that in 90 minutes they will have a head-to-head duel with DYSSh-7.
As a result, Danylo Polozov managed to score twice, cutting his team’s lag to two goals. Generally, our guys have been controlling the course of the match and earned the important three points. Moreover, a victory over a direct rival for getting through to the playoffs is worth a lot.
Yurii Vashchenko (Phoenix coach):
- First of all, my congratulations to all the guys on a good game and on their victory. I am grateful to them for this game. Today they completed our task, and we had told them: "There will be a game - there will be zeal - there will be a result." The guys did well, they did a lot of combination play. I think that today they did many things well.
- Previously Phoenix could not beat Persha Stolytsia in head-to-head matches, but today it became possible.
- Even yielding during the match, the guys found the strength to turn the tide of the match and bring it to a beneficial result. We want to get into the final part of the tournament, and, hopefully, we are going to make it.