V'yacheslav Koydan opened the scoring in the 63rd minute as "Chernihiv" defeated "Metalurg" Zaporizhzhia 2:0 in Thursday's promotion playoff second leg. The victory completed a convincing 5:0 aggregate win that secured "Chernihiv's" place in Ukraine's First League next season.
"Metalurg" entered their home fixture already trailing 3:0 from the first leg, facing an uphill battle to overturn the deficit. The hosts struggled to make any meaningful impact, failing to score even a single goal across both matches.
Koydan's strike just after the hour mark effectively ended any remaining hopes for the Zaporizhzhia side. Maksym Shumylo then added insult to injury, finding the net with just six minutes of normal time remaining.
The match followed a predictable pattern. "Chernihiv" remained disciplined throughout, capitalizing on their opportunities when they arrived. By contrast, "Metalurg" seemed unable to create clear chances despite the desperate need for goals.
Interestingly, this promotion represents a significant achievement for "Chernihiv," who will now test themselves against stronger opposition next season. The comprehensive manner of their victory – keeping clean sheets in both legs – suggests they might be well-equipped for the challenge ahead.
With five unanswered goals across two matches, "Chernihiv" leaves no doubt about which team deserved promotion. Can they maintain this momentum when facing the increased competition of Ukraine's First League? Their fans certainly have reason for optimism after such a dominant playoff performance.
