Besiktas edges past 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 results, the black-and-whites completed most of the match with 10 players. Technical director Vincenzo Italiano said at the post-match press conference: "Defending with 10 players is very difficult, and I think we did that well."

Besiktas were eliminated in the group stage of the Europa League last season; advancing this round is critical for Turkey's UEFA country coefficient. As of August 6, Turkey ranks 9th in the standings with 47.375 points, and the gap between them and closely-following Czech Republic is just 3.5 points.

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