Newsletters
Besiktas produced their most complete performance of the season in a commanding 4-2 victory over Antalyaspor in Week 29 of the Trendyol Super Lig, with South Korean forward Hyeon-gyu Oh at the center of the display.
The Istanbul club's showing drew widespread praise from Turkish sports writers, who described the result as the strongest collective effort of the campaign.
Oh's contribution went beyond his two goals. The striker's relentless pressing, sharp movement, and hunger in front of goal drew repeated comparisons in the Turkish sports press to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, widely regarded as one of Europe's most complete center forwards.
Since joining Besiktas, Oh has built a reputation on three qualities: intelligent positioning to track down second balls, finishing with his weaker foot, and clinical single-touch strikes.
Against Antalyaspor, all three were on display.
Columnists covering the match noted his determination after scoring, described as the profile of a forward who plays with an edge, as a defining characteristic of the player's value to the squad.
Oh was not the only player. Left back Ridvan Yilmaz continued a run of consistent performances that has grown more assured with each passing week.
Midfielder Kartal, returning to the starting lineup after an extended absence, delivered a near-flawless 90 minutes.
Attacking contributions also came from Orkun Kokcu, Jota Silva, and substitutes Jan Cerny, Amedi Asllani, and Demba Toure.
The result moves Besiktas firmly toward securing fourth place in the Super Lig table. Barring a dramatic collapse from either Fenerbahce or Trabzonspor above them, the club is expected to finish the season in that position.
The win did not come without fault. Defensive lapses that have been present throughout the season resurfaced.
Antalyaspor were allowed scoring opportunities that, at a higher level of competition, could have proved costly. Sports commentators noted that those errors remain an unresolved issue for the squad.
With the league position largely settled, attention turns to the Turkish Cup, which Besiktas is targeting as the primary trophy for the remainder of the season.
Planning for next season's squad is also understood to be underway behind the scenes.
Some observers noted that while Saturday's performance was encouraging, the gap between Besiktas and the two clubs consistently competing for the Super Lig title, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, remains significant.
The financial and structural investment required to close that gap is seen as the club's central challenge going forward.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
