

FK Epitsentr Dunayivtsi pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory over Polissya Zhytomyr in a high-stakes Ukrainian Premier League encounter on May 12, 2026. The home side twice came from behind to snatch all three points in a match that swung wildly from start to finish.
Match Overview
Played in front of a passionate crowd at the Kolos Stadium in Dunayivtsi, the game began with Polissya looking composed on the ball. The visitors opened the scoring early through a well-worked counterattack, but Epitsentr responded quickly with a powerful header from a corner. The first half ended level at 1-1, but the drama was just beginning.
Polissya regained the lead just after the hour mark with a fine strike from the edge of the box. However, the home side's never-say-die attitude shone through. A stunning free-kick in the 72nd minute brought the scores level, and with ten minutes remaining, a clinical finish from a quick break sealed a memorable 3-2 comeback win.
Key Moments
- 12' – Polissya strike first: A slick through ball splits the Epitsentr defence, allowing the Polissya forward to slot coolly past the goalkeeper.
- 28' – Equaliser from a set piece: Epitsentr's centre-back rises highest to power home a corner, bringing the crowd back to life.
- 63' – Polissya retake the lead: A moment of individual brilliance as the midfielder cuts inside and curls a low drive into the bottom corner.
- 72' – Stunning free-kick: Epitsentr's set-piece specialist bends a right-footed shot over the wall and into the top corner.
- 80' – Winning goal: A swift counterattack sees the home striker latch onto a long ball and finish with composure past the advancing keeper.
Tactical Story
Epitsentr opted for a direct, physical approach, looking to exploit Polissya's occasional defensive lapses from set pieces. The home side pressed high in the second half, forcing errors that led to their crucial goals. Polissya, meanwhile, relied on sharp transitional play but lacked the concentration to see out their leads. The match highlighted Epitsentr's resilience and tactical flexibility under pressure.
Standout Players
- Home team's match-winner: The Epitsentr centre-forward was a constant menace, winning headers and occupying defenders. He scored the equaliser from a corner and set up the winning goal.
- Polissya's creative spark: Despite the loss, the away team's attacking midfielder created several chances and scored a superb individual effort.
Table and Season Impact
The victory lifted Epitsentr into the top half of the Ukrainian Premier League standings, strengthening their bid for a European qualification spot. For Polissya, the defeat was a blow to their hopes of finishing in the top six, leaving them just above the relegation playoff zone. The result underlined the competitive nature of this season's UPL, where every point matters.
With only a handful of matches left, both sides will look to build on their performances – Epitsentr from a position of confidence, and Polissya desperate to arrest a worrying slide.