UEL: Beer Sheva: 1 Beşiktaş: 3

Beşiktaş came away with a very advantageous result in Israël during their first leg confrontation with Hapoel Be’er Shéva in the round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League.

The Black Eagles secured a two goal margin win and scored three goals on the road, giving them a clear advantage for the return leg next week at the Vodafone Arena. The Israëli champions would have to score atleast 3 goals at Vodafone Arena, a feat which only Benfica has thusfar accomplished but even they could not keep their nets clean as that particular confrontation ended in a 3-3 draw.

Be’er Shéva expressed their desire to get on the scoresheet before the kick-off and that was made clear after just 7 minutes when Elyaniv Barda headed a chance straight at goalkeeper Fabri. But Beşiktaş did well to retain possession and Be’er Shéva looked nervous in defence, leading to an early yellow card for their central defender Shir Tzedek.

Beşiktaş played their regular game and controlled the pace and possession, but several moments of nonchalance on the part of Tolgay Arslan and Quaresma led to counter opportunities for the hosts. Quaresma was double marked throughout the first half but in the 42nd minute Be’er Shéva’s marking was lacking for just a moment, leaving Quaresma with just one direct opponent and that was enough to allow the Portuguese wizard to swing in one of his trademark crosses: the cross was met by Cenk Tosun in the box and his shot took a deflection off of defender William Soares to beat goalkeeper Goresh: 0-1 after 42 minutes.

Cenk Tosun thanking Ricardo Quaresma for yet another quality assist provided to him by the Portuguese magician.

The lead did not last long however as Elyaniv Barda set up – and finished off – Hapoel Be’er Shéva’s immediate reaction. Admittedly some luck was involved for the 35 year old veteran as the ball ricochetted off of Dusko Tosic and fell right in front of Barda’s foot for the equalizer: 1-1 after 44 minutes and that was also the halftime score.

The Black Eagles came out of the dressing room looking for a quick second goal and nearly found it after just two minutes: Quaresma’s corner was headed back by Necip Uysal at the far post with Marcelo heading the ball against the bar, leaving goalkeeper Goresh beaten but not the woodwork.

Again just two minutes later it seemed as if Beşiktaş had taken the lead but Cenk Tosun’s goal was rightfully disallowed for offside.

With the Black Eagles’ furious start to the second half the Israëli champions were left grasping for air but a slip up by Tolgay Arslan in midfield nearly gave the hosts the confidence boost. Tolgay went down easily and claimed a foul but referee Atkinson waved play on, allowing Anthony Nwakaeme to set up Elyaniv Barda with his second of the evening, the experienced striker came eye to eye with goalkeeper Fabri but put the chance wide.

Barda would dearly regret his miss as just three minutes later Cenk Tosun didn’t show mercy and with an excellent striker’s goal put the Black Eagles 1-2 up on the hour mark.

Hapoel Be’er Shéva tried to respond quickly once again but this time they squandered their rare opportunities, when Ogu missed a clear chance in the 74th minute it became clear that a third goal for the Black Eagles was more likely at this point.

Anderson Talisca had replaced Tolgay Arslan in the 74th minute and immediately made his presence felt as he rattled David Goresh’ cage in the 80th minute with an excellent long range placed shot, a firm knock on the door.

Five minutes later Goresh made a miraculous save to prevent Ricardo Quaresma from putting the third on the scoreboard, but the 37-year old Israëli international would have turn around once more before the night was over when Anderson Talisca set up Atiba Hutchinson with the 1-3 in the third minute of second half stoppage time: 1-3 at full time.

Full UEFA Europa League round of 32 results

Krasnodar 1-0 Fenerbahçe (match was played earlier on the day, return leg will be played on Wednesday 22/02)

Who was your man of the match?

Who was your #MOTM during the #BeerSheva–#BEŞİKTAŞ #UEL match? #BJKlive

— Beşiktaş Int. (@Besiktas_Int) February 17, 2017

Stadium: Yaakov Turner Toto stadium

Official: Martin Atkinson (ENG)

Hapoel Be’er Shéva XI: David Goresh; Ben Turjeman – Shir Tzedek – William Soares – Ben Biton; Ovidiu Hoban (67′ Michael Ohana) – Maharan Radi – Maor Melikson (58′ Muhamad Gadir); John Ogu – Anthony Nwakaeme – Elyaniv Barda (79′ Ben Sahar)

Reserves: Guy Haimov, Loai Taha, Mattan Ohayon, Vladimir Broun, Michael Ohana, Ben Sahar, Muhamad Gadir

Head coach: Barak Bakhar

Beşiktaş XI: Fabricio Ramirez; Gökhan Gönul – Marcelo Guedes – Matej Mitrovic – Dusko Tosic; Atiba Hutchinson – Necip Uysal – Tolgay Arslan (74′ Anderson Talisca); Ricardo Quaresma (90′ Gökhan İnler) – Cenk Tosun (90+2′ Ömer Şişmanoğlu) – Ryan Babel

Reserves: Tolga Zengin, Fatih Aksoy, Atınç Nukan, Anderson Talisca, Gökhan İnler, Oğuzhan Özyakup, Ömer Şişmanoğlu

Head coach: Şenol Güneş

Goals: Cenk Tosun (42′, 60′), Elyaniv Barda (44′), Atiba Hutchinson (90+3′)

Yellow cards: Shir Tzedek (5′)

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Kaan Bayazit

Editor-in-chief at Beşiktaş International

Freelance sports writer specialized in Turkish football and Beşiktaş. Co-host of the Black Eagles podcast. Frequently featured in World Soccer Digest Japan and many other international media outlets. Following Turkish football for close to two decades. Proud father to Aedin.

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