Beşiktaş Take Big Step Toward Play-offs Despite Playing Man Down

Turkish giants Beşiktaş edged out Czech side Hradec Králové 1-0 in the first leg of their Conference League third qualifying round tie, securing a valuable advantage to take into next week's return leg.

The match, played at Malšovická Arena in Hradec Králové, was settled by a single goal in the 80th minute from Semih Kılıçsoy, assisted by Wilfred Ndidi — who had only been on the pitch for four minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The breakthrough came despite Beşiktaş playing with ten men since the 72nd minute, when Cassius Ouattara picked up a second yellow card. Overcoming the numerical disadvantage to snatch a late winner made the result all the more impressive for the Turkish side.

The return leg will be played in Istanbul exactly a week later, on Thursday, August 13, at 8:00 PM Bulgarian time. Beşiktaş will go into it well-rested, having not yet kicked off their domestic season, while Hradec Králové face a Czech league fixture against Baník Ostrava this Sunday, August 9.