Istanbul Basaksehir qualifies for the UEFA Conference League playoffs despite a draw at home.
Istanbul Basaksehir have secured their place in the UEFA Conference League playoff round after a hard-fought victory over Norwegian side Viking FK.
The Turkish club began the second leg at Fatih Terim Stadium with a 3-1 advantage from the first leg, played in Norway. The home team started strongly, with German striker Davie Selke scoring in the 37th minute to make it 1-1 on the night and maintain Basaksehir's 3-2 aggregate lead.
However, just minutes later, Basaksehir suffered a setback as Onur Bulut scored an own goal for the home team, reducing the aggregate lead to 3-2. Despite the own goal, Basaksehir were able to hold on and secure their progression, thanks in part to a goalless second half.
The draw means that Basaksehir advanced with an aggregate score of 4-2, setting up a playoff round clash with either Universitatea Craiova or Spartak Trnava. The first leg of that tie is scheduled for August 21, with the second leg taking place on August 28.
Basaksehir will be hoping to build on their success in the playoff round and secure a place in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League. The location for the playoff round matches has yet to be announced.
In the meantime, Basaksehir fans can look back on their team's impressive performance in the third qualifying round, where they beat Viking FK 4-2 on aggregate. They also advanced through the second qualifying round, although the details of that tie were not provided in the search results.
As the UEFA Conference League playoff round approaches, Basaksehir will be eager to continue their impressive form and secure a place in the league phase of the competition. With their strong squad and talented players, they will be favourites to progress and challenge for the title.
- The victory over Viking FK ensured Istanbul Basaksehir, a Turkish club, will compete in the UEFA Conference League playoff round, held in a location yet to be announced.
- Despite Russia not being directly mentioned, the Turkish club's progression in the UEFA Conference League will undoubtedly draw attention from countries such as Russia, given the popularity of football worldwide.
- In Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, and across the entire nation of Turkiye, fans are eagerly awaiting the UEFA Conference League playoff round, hoping for their team's continued success.
- As the playoff round approaches, Basaksehir's football squad, including striker Davie Selke from Germany, will aim to maintain their impressive form, targeting a place in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, and potentially even challenging for the title in this new competition format.
