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Besiktas
Pre-season Friendlies
Jul 18, 2013 at 5pm UK
 
QPR logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Zamora (65')

Live Commentary: Besiktas 0-1 Queens Park Rangers - as it happened

Live coverage of Queens Park Rangers' pre-season friendly against Turkish side Besiktas in Austria.
2

A second-half goal from Andrew Johnson was enough to give Queens Park Rangers a 1-0 win over Besiktas this afternoon.

The striker netted for the first time since sustaining a cruciate ligament injury, glancing the ball in from a Bobby Zamora header.

Junior Hoilett also had several chances for the Hoops, who face Udinese in their next match on Saturday.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good afternoon! QPR will be getting their tour of Austria underway later this afternoon with a pre-season friendly against Turkish side Besiktas.

This will the Hoops' third match this summer as they prepare for life back in the Championship. Following a draw with Exeter City and a loss to Peterborough United, Harry Redknapp will be keen to see his side return to winning ways, with a tricky tie against Udinese still to come, before the team faces Southend United later this month.

Besiktas, who are currently managed by former Croatia boss Slaven Bilic, have not won the Turkish Super Lig since the 2008-09 season, finishing behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce last season.

Besiktas's preparations for this match have been marred by a UEFA ruling that they will not be allowed to compete in Europe this season, despite finishing third in the Super Lig table. The ban comes following a match-fixing allegation.

According to QPR's website, new signing Richard Dunne is unlikely to feature for the club this afternoon, having only completed his move to Loftus Road on Monday. Meanwhile, Loic Remy, Stephane Mbia and Armand Traore all missed yesterday's training sessions with minor injuries.

Ahead of today's match, Esteban Granero told QPR's website: "We are in good condition, but we need to get fitter and more organised in terms of our shape and tactics for the new season. We are working hard on our specific formations and movements and the jobs we have to do, but I believe we are in a good position to face the challenges that await us over the coming weeks."

Well with kickoff changed from the originally published time of 4pm to 5pm, we'll be continuing our build-up, with full team news, later this afternoon. Join us again from 4.30pm for continued coverage of this game.

Right then, with half an hour until kickoff, let's take a look at QPR's team sheet.

QPR STARTING XI: Murphy, Suk-Young, Hill, Onuoha, Simpson, Hoilett, Derry, Granero, Wright-Philips, Johnson, Zamora

As expected, Mackie, Traore, Remy and Mbia all miss out with injury, while Dunne is not yet considered match fit, having only joined the club on Monday.

This match is taking place at Seeboden Stadium in Austria, where QPR are currently based for a pre-season training camp. They'll play a second match in that country in just two days, taking on Udinese in Vienna.

One topic of conversation between the two managers this afternoon may very well be Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo international has been linked with a move to Besiktas, having joined Tottenham during Redknapp's reign at White Hart Lane.

With kickoff not that long away now, it's probably time to make a prediction. The bookmakers have the Turkish side as narrow favourites to victory this afternoon, but QPR have named a strong lineup, and I feel they might just edge this one. I'm going for a 2-1 win for the London team.

It looks like the crowd is largely made up of Besiktas supporters. Seeboden is not that for from the German border, where there's a large Turkish ex-pat community, but it does seem that a few committed QPR fans have made the journey.

BESIKTAS STARTING XI: Goenen, Kayhan, Sivok, Gueluem, Escude, Fernandes, Kavlak, Holosko, Oezyakup, Sahan, Almeida

Redknapp won't actually be on the touchline this evening. He's recovering from a knee operation which he underwent last week, so Steve McLaren and Joe Jordan will be in charge in the dugout.

The teams are heading out ready for this evening's match. QPR are wearing their new home kit for the first time today.

QPR kick off the first half.

QPR looks to push on in the Besiktas half from the kickoff, with Derry leading the way, but he loses the ball on the edge of the penalty area. Simpson wins the ball back for the Londoners, with Suk-Young and Derry helping take the ball back into the Besiktas half. Neither side are really on top yet.

CHANCE! Goenen has the ball but Derry closes in on the Besiktas keeper, who just manages to slice the ball out for a throw in. Suk-Young delivers the ball for Hoilett, who has the first real shot of the game so far, but it's a comfortably stop for Goenen.

Zamora wins the ball in midfield, and is able to pick out Wright-Philips out wide. He passes forward for Simpson, who manages to win a throw in, but Besiktas force the Hoops back into their own half, before Sivok wins the ball for the Super Lig side.

Fernandes goes on the attack with a superb run down the sideline for Besiktas. He tries to cross the ball in towards QPR's penalty area, but Simpson is back to force a mistake from the midfielder, who puts the ball behind for a goal kick. QPR just seem to be edging the possession at the moment, but are yet to really threaten in front of goal.

Besiktas win the first corner of the match. Sahan climbs high to go for a header, but the assistant referee rules him offside before he can make an attempt at the QPR goal. The Hoops quickly go on the counter-attack, with Zamora winning a free kick, but Granero's effort towards Derry goes out for a Besiktas throw.

It's been a nervy opening 15 minutes, both sides are seeing plenty of time on the ball, but neither has really had much time in their opponent's final third. It's been a pretty hot day in Seeboden, so it may be that the players are just trying to pace themselves in the early stages of this encounter.

Some solid play from Derry gives QPR their first corner of the game. Granero whips the ball in, but it's comfortably cleared by Almeida. QPR quickly look to get the ball back into the box, but a loose pass from Hoilett goes out for a throw.

Hill picks out Suk-Young with a superb long ball forward, but the defender can't control the ball in time, and it goes behind for a goal kick. Kavlak launches the Turkish side a counter-attack, before Sivok wins a throw in for Besiktas, but QPR are well-organised in defence, and their opponents can't break into the box.

Sivok is fouled just inside the QPR half. Fernandes lines up the free kick, and goes for a shot from over 40 yards out. It's a bold move, but it doesn't trouble Brian Murphy in the QPR goal. Besiktas are just starting to edge ahead in possession, but have only been able to break into the QPR penalty box on a couple of occasions. This really has been a midfield battle so far.

CHANCE! Sivok and Fernandes link up down the left wing for Besiktas, but Wright-Philips manages to win the ball back for QPR, before securing a free kick. Granero takes it quickly, finding Hoilett, who has a go from just inside the box, but his shot lacks power, and is easily taken by Goenen. The Canadian has looked QPR's best chance of a goal so far.

CHANCE! Besiktas win a free kick around 30 yards out. Fernandes takes it again, but this time decides not to go for goal, instead picking out the head of his captain, Sivok, but the Czech defender nods the ball well wide.

Derry loses the ball to Fernandes in midfield, who looks to break into the box, but Hill manages to get the ball away. Zamora picks it up in midfield, passing to Simpson, who wins a throw in near the corner flag. Besiktas force Suk-Young back to the half-way line, before Ozyakup manages to intercept a pass and blast the ball towards the QPR box. The Hoops may have had more time in their opponents' half, but Besiktas have been excellent at the back so far.

Once again, all the action is taking place in midfield, with neither side able to take control of the match. Despite the lack of goals, QPR will be quite happy with what they've seen so far, with Hoilett and Simpson in particular showing plenty of pace out wide.

Hoilett wins the ball in midfield and passes to Wright-Philips, but the diminutive midfielder is easily out-muscled by two of Besiktas' defenders. Every time Hoilett gets the ball, Steve McClaren is encouraging him to get up front.

Besiktas win a corner, but Fernandes' delivery is poor, missing all of his teammates and drifting straight out for a goal kick. Besiktas haven't looked that threatening in front of goal, despite creating a couple of promising chances.

Simpson makes a good run down the sideline, picking the ball up around 20 yards out before crossing in towards goal. However, the assistant flags him offisde. Replays show that the decision may have been a bit harsh. The defender shows his frustrations moments later, conceding a free kick just outside the penalty area with a rash tackle on Sahan.

CHANCE! Fernandes goes for goal from the free kick with the last action of the first half, but his effort goes well high as he tries to lift the ball over the wall.

HALF TIME: Besiktas 0-0 Queens Park Rangers

Well it wasn't necessarily the prettiest half of football, but there was promising spells from both sides in the opening 45 minutes in Seeboden. Junior Hoilett probably had the best chance of the half inside the opening 10 minutes, while Manuel Fernandes had plenty of shots, but struggled to find the target for Besiktas.

One person who has been enjoying the first half is QPR chairman Tony Fernandes. He tweeted: "Simpson and Yuk and Onuha looking good. Junior looking much more livley. Like the kit. Next the badge."

Hoilett seemed to be getting some special attention from the QPR coaching staff, with McClaren encouraging him to attack every time he got the ball. It's likely that there will be several changes to both sides for the second half, but I wouldn't be surprised if QPR leave the Canadian on for a little bit longer.

It will be interesting to see whether either side are able to bring a more attacking temperament in the second half. They both seemed that keen to dominate the midfield in the opening 45 minutes that the end product was lacking. Both sides have some good options of their benches.

Both sides are heading back out for the second half. It looks like the QPR are sticking with the same lineup for now, while Besiktas have lined up plenty of changes.

Besiktas get the second period underway.

QPR win the first corner of the second half. Granero lines it up, but Franco gets his head to the ball first to clear the danger. Besiktas charge down the other end, but a loose pass finds Murphy. It's been a positive start from both sides.

Zamora finds Wright-Philips out wide, who crosses in towards Johnson, but he's unable to keep hold of the ball, allowing Besiktas to clear. QPR quickly regain possession, but are forced back into their own half.

Franco claims the ball from Wright-Philips, and works with Demirci to get the ball out of the Besiktas penalty area. The duo manage to take the ball out to the half-way line, keeping the ball well. The Turkish side look more composed in possession since the half-time changes.

Tore drives the ball forward for Toraman as Besiktas bear down on the QPR penalty area, but Murphy comes off his line to take the ball. On the counter attack, Wright-Philips looks to be through on goal, but is quickly ruled offside by the assistant.

QPR have their strongest spell of possession since coming back out for the second half, as Hoilett, Onuoha and Simpson pass the ball across the width of the pitch. Besiktas have managed to keep Hoilett off the ball for much of the second spell so far.

There's a nasty looking collision between Simpson and Dentinho. The QPR player lets out a shout as he tumbles to the ground. There was no foul but it certainly looked like the challenge left its mark. Meanwhile, it looks like McClaren is preparing to make some changes for QPR.

After a strong start by Besiktas, QPR are just starting to dominate this second half. Derry whips the ball forward towards Wright-Philips, but the ball is knocked out for a Besiktas throw. The Hoops quickly get the ball back of look for Wright-Philips again, but it's the same result.

Simpson and Granero team up in midfield, before Granero chips the ball forward for Wright-Philips. The midfielder thinks about going for goal himself from the edge of the area, but spots Zamora to the right. However, Zamora mis-times his run and is caught offside. This has probably been QPR's strongest spell of the match.

GOAL! Besiktas 0-1 Queens Park Rangers (Johnson)

It's a brilliant move from QPR to take the lead against Besiktas. Zamora burst into the box before whipping the ball across the face of the goal for Johnson. Johnson doesn't get to the ball, but Hoilett is back to chip the ball back in towards Zamora, who calmly nods the ball in to score QPR's first goal this summer.

There's a bit of debate over who got the final touch on the ball. Zamora headed the ball, but it looks like Johnson may have made contact with his shot on the way in. It will be interesting to see who claims it.

In fact, QPR's official twitter account is giving the goal to Johnson. I'm sure Zamora will claim otherwise though!

SUBS! The Londoners make wholesale changes, with Derry, Granero, Wright-Philips, Zamora and Johnson all going off. Jenas, Faurlin, Park, Shariff and Sutherland come on.

The play has become a bit scrappy since QPR made their changes, with the fresher players looking to bring a higher tempo to the game, while those who've been on since the start are happier just to sit back and keep possession. The changes have allowed Besiktas to see a bit more of the ball, but they're still yet to really threaten in front of goal.

Besiktas go for goal from long range. Murphy catches the ball but momentum carries him behind to give the Turkish side a corner. Demirci's initial delivery is tipped wide by the Hoops' keeper, giving their opponents another corner. At the second time of asking, Onouha gets the ball away.

SUBS! QPR make another couple of changes, bringing on two of the younger players in their squad. Max Ehmer and Michael Harriman replace Onuoha and Simpson for the last 10 minutes.

QPR just seem happy to sit back and keep the ball at the moment, with Ehmer and Park passing the ball between themselves at the back. However, Besiktas try to win the ball back, and a clumsy challenge on Pektemek gives the Turkish side a free kick near the half-way line. QPR are solid at the back though, and easily block the danger.

Besiktas have just stepped it up in the last couple of minutes as they look for an equaliser. Sismanoglu threads the ball through the QPR defence for Dentinho, but the Brazilian if forced out, giving the Loftus Road side a goal kick.

Jenas looks to break into the box for QPR, but the ball is cleared as far as Harriman, who immediately looks for a way back into the box, but play is stopped as Hoilett appears to have taken a blow to the back of the head. The physio immediately comes on and hands the midfielder an ice back for his head, but it looks like he'll go off as a precaution.

QPR have already brought on all of their subs, so Hoilett decides to come back on after a few moments with the ice pack.

A good ball from Sutherland finds Park, who chips the ball into the box, but he has no teammates there to help him out. Hoilett and Sutherland quickly look to get the ball back in, and win a throw near the corner.

FULL TIME: Besiktas 0-1 Queens Park Rangers

There's just time to take the throw before the referee blows for full time. It's a good result for QPR against a strong Besiktas side in Austria.

After a fairly even first half, Besiktas seemed to have the measure of their opponents at the start of the second period, but the Hoops found their way into the match, and some brilliant work from Bobby Zamora helped Andrew Johnson to his first goal since sustaining a cruciate ligament injury last season.

QPR's first pre-season win this year should give them some confidence ahead of their Vienna meeting with Udinese on Saturday, with several first-team players having been rested for that match.

Well that's all from Seeboden this evening, but stick around for coverage of Manchester City's pre-season game against AmaZulu. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.

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