FROM THE SIDELINES (14.11.21)
The Kyiv Oblast football season is now finally over after a jubilee weekend that saw not only the prestigious Kyiv Oblast Super Cup but a bonus ‘Golden Match’ to decide the destination of the Kyiv Oblast First League. Attending these games meant a little bit of travelling but making the effort was definitely worth it as the season came to an exciting conclusion.
On Saturday it was Champions and Cup winners Nyva Buzova facing Cup runners-up Druzhba Mirivka at Denykhivka Arena. This was my first ever visit to Denykhivka, which is 161 kilometres from Kyiv, and it was a very impressive venue for the game. The grass pitch was in fantastic condition and, despite the lingering fear of Covid-19, a big crowd came along to see the match.
At this point I would like to thank the supporters of Nyva Buzova who very kindly gave me a place on one of their noisy minibuses to Denykhivka, and their infectious excitement certainly added to the experience. Their colourful support throughout the afternoon, in tandem with a group from Kaharlyk, really made the afternoon feel like a proper final.
There was certainly no end of season feel to the game as both sides attacked each other looking for the opening goal. On a perfect surface, there was a lot of fast, accurate passing and the standard of play was high. On 11 minutes, a Nyva player was pushed in the back and referee Vladyslav Hrytsai pointed to the spot. Buzova’s super striker Ivan Somov rifled the ball into the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance, and Nyva were already on course for their treble.
But Druzhba are a very good football team, as reflected in their third place finish in the league, and soon fought back with an equaliser, Artem Hryshchenko putting the ball into the net for 1-1 with 27 minutes played.
However, the turning point in the match-up came in first half stoppage time when Nyva forward Andriy Zozulya scored from close range to put Nyva back in front. The timing could not have been worse for Mirivka as half time and a dressing room re-group were just moments away.
In the second half, Nyva really put on a show and dominated possession. The ball seemed to find Andriy Zozulya like an iron filing sticks to a magnet, the diminutive figure constantly on the ball, and constantly threatening. It was fitting that he would score his second goal of the game, and Nyva’s third, on 79 minutes to finish off any chances of a Druzhba comeback. It was a superb individual performance from man of the match Zozulya and team performance from Nyva who lifted the trophy in front of their army of delighted fans.
It was also great to see the officials get some well-deserved awards for their contribution. Referee Vladyslav Hrytsai had another excellent game, and his assistants Svitlana Hrushko and Pavlo Yakymenko, really helped keep the game running smoothly. Make no mistake, this was a tough, passionate, physical game and this was a big test for the officials that they passed with flying colours.
The final piece of business for the 2021 season was on Sunday. I took the shorter trip to Kalynivka (in Vasylkiv Region) to see the Play-Off between SC Hatne and Avanhard Bziv, dubbed the ‘Golden Match’.
A lot has been said and written about this match because of the strange circumstances in which it took place. Sometimes as a foreigner these matters are hard to follow but from what I understand, Hatne were punished for having twelve men on the field against Avanhard in their league encounter which led to a 3-0 technical victory awarded to Bziv. But then, Hatne were also awarded a 3-0 technical victory after Zorya Myronishchyna fielded an ineligible player, thus gaining them two extra point.
After taking a deep breath I can conclude that these technical decisions meant that both teams finished the season on the same points in first place. So, a ‘Golden Match’ was required to decide who is the champion of the Kyiv Oblast First League. As I really enjoy watching both sides, who both play excellent football, I was really looking forward to seeing the game and it did not disappoint.
Contrary to what some Ukrainians tell me, these administrative issues are not exclusive to Ukrainian football. In recent season in the top echelons of the English non-league came we have had several scandals including expunged results, a points per game fiasco, an abandoned season and several others.
There was an added edge to this game and this meant a very cagey opening period with both teams playing quite defensively not wanting to make any mistakes that would give their opponent the advantage. So, it took 35 minutes before we saw the opening goal, Hatne marksman Rostyslav Taranukha forcing the ball home after the keeper had a parried a shot from long range.
However, Avanhard showed great character to fight back and a big game needed a big player, Bziv star man Oleksandr Onopchenko equalising three minutes before half-time.
The second half was a more one-sided affair as Hatne took a grip on the game. First, Volodymyr Rybtsov scored from close range on 47 minutes to put the men in black back in front. Then, on 58 minutes, a spectacular strike from experienced midfielder Oleksandr Romanchuk make it 3-1 to Hatne, leaving Avanhard with a mountain to climb.
Despite being two goals down, Avanhard were awarded a penalty for handball by referee Serhiy Zadyran on 66 minutes, giving them a great chance to get back into the game. However, Andriy Darda’s spot kick was expertly saved by Hatne keeper Maksym Maksymenko and the chance was gone.
It was another good performance from the officiating team. As mentioned, the man in the middle was Serhiy Zadyran and he was assisted by Dmytro Podvalniy and Viktor Avramchuk. It was an additional appointment to add to their increasingly impressive CVs.
Hatne saw the game out to become the 2021 Kyiv Oblast First League champions and deservedly so after a fantastic season. Yuriy Balashev and Anton Butko have done a great job and were clearly overjoyed to finally clinch the title. I did feel a bit sorry for Avanhard who, only a week ago, were celebrating themselves but now have to settle for second place. So, the season ended as it began with some great football, great excitement, and the Ukrainian amateur game in great health. We can now all enjoy a break and prepare ourselves for the 2022 season which I am sure will be another amazing journey.