Goal and Penalty in First Match
Oh Hyeon-gyu (25) scored his first goal of the season in the UEFA Europa League for Besiktas against FK Kauno Žalgiris. The 3-0 victory on the 21st (Korea time) in Istanbul was opened by the South Korean player, who headed the ball into the net after a corner from Redvan İulmazy. He also earned a penalty, which Orkun Kökçü converted into a 3-0 lead. The goal and penalty were part of his 60 minutes of play, during which he took four shots, one on target, three ground duels, and one aerial duel.
Rivalry with Blahovic
The match also highlighted the rivalry between Oh Hyeon-gyu and the new signing Doosan Blahovic (26). Oh Hyeon-gyu was substituted in the 15th minute of the second half for Blahovic, symbolizing the start of their competition. In an interview, Oh Hyeon-gyu stated: "Blahovic is probably the best striker in the world. There is a lot I can learn from him." He also emphasized the strength of the attacking line with Blahovic, Semih Kılıçsoy, and himself, and stressed that the team is in good form to win the title.
Recovery After World Cup and Season Performances
Oh Hyeon-gyu, who moved from KRC Genk to Besiktas in February, had a difficult season after his goal in the CONCACAF World Cup group. He had not scored since April, but his performance against Kauno Žalgiris shows he is recovering. He mentioned the long preparation after the World Cup as an obstacle, but emphasized that he is physically better and more confident now.
