Beşiktaş took a significant step toward the UEFA Europa League play-off round after battling to a 1-0 victory over Czech club FC Hradec Kralove in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie on Wednesday, with substitute Semih Kılıçsoy scoring the decisive goal despite the Turkish side playing the final 20 minutes with 10 men.
The Black Eagles showed resilience at Malsovicka Arena in Hradec Kralove, overcoming the dismissal of summer signing Kassoum Ouattara to secure a valuable away victory under head coach Vincenzo Italiano. The return leg will be played on Aug. 13 at Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul.
The result continued Beşiktaş's impressive start to the European campaign after eliminating Danish side FC Midtjylland 3-0 on aggregate in the previous round. It also marked the club's 100th victory in European competition and extended its run to three consecutive competitive clean sheets this season.
Hradec Kralove, who advanced by beating Norway's Tromso 4-1 on aggregate, entered the match full of confidence after an impressive home run but struggled to capitalize on their chances against a disciplined Beşiktaş defense.
The visitors controlled much of the opening half without finding a breakthrough. İlhan Fakılı looked lively in attack, while South Korean striker Hyeon-gyu Oh came closest to opening the scoring when his effort crashed against the crossbar shortly before halftime.
