Besiktas Beats Hradec Kralove 1-0 with Semih Kılıçsoy's 80th-Minute Goal

Besiktas defeated Czech side Hradec Kralove 1-0 away in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round. Semih Kılıçsoy scored the match's only goal in the 80th minute.

According to the result, the black-and-whites completed much of the match with ten players. Technical director Vincenzo Italiano said at the post-match press conference: "Defending with ten players is very difficult, and I think we did that well."

Besiktas were eliminated from the Europa League group stage last season; progressing this year is critical in terms of UEFA coefficient. As of August 6, Turkey ranks 9th in the standings with 47.375 points, and the gap to closely-following Czech Republic is only 3.5 points.

The return match will be played on August 11 or 13. Should Besiktas advance, they will face significantly stronger opponents in the next round.