OFK Beograd Edged Out by Gaziantep FK in Pre-Season Friendly Thriller

In an entertaining International Club Friendly held on 29 July 2026, Serbian side OFK Beograd welcomed Turkish Süper Lig outfit Gaziantep FK to the historic Omladinski Stadion. Despite a spirited performance from the hosts, it was Gaziantep who emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, continuing their solid pre-season preparations.

Match Overview

Pre-season friendlies serve as a crucial testing ground for tactics and fitness, and this encounter provided both teams with valuable minutes. OFK Beograd, a club with a proud tradition in Serbian football, aimed to impress in front of their home fans. Gaziantep FK, looking to fine-tune their squad ahead of a demanding domestic campaign, fielded a strong starting eleven blending experience and youth.

The match started at a lively pace, with both sides pressing high and looking to impose themselves early. Gaziantep’s superior technical quality began to show as they settled into their rhythm, but OFK Beograd’s physicality and direct approach kept the visitors on alert.

Key Moments

Gaziantep FK opened the scoring midway through the first half. A neat passing move down the right flank ended with a low cross that was turned home by their striker, who made a clever run to lose his marker. The Turkish side continued to create chances and doubled their lead just before the break when a speculative long-range effort took a deflection and looped over the OFK goalkeeper.

OFK Beograd refused to fold and came out for the second half with renewed determination. They pulled a goal back in the 58th minute after a set-piece scramble, with a defender smashing the ball into the net from close range. The goal lifted the home crowd, and OFK pushed hard for an equaliser, hitting the post and forcing a fine save from the Gaziantep keeper.

Tactical Observations

Gaziantep’s ability to retain possession and control the tempo was evident, particularly in the first half. They used quick combinations in midfield to bypass OFK’s press. OFK Beograd, meanwhile, relied on aggressive wing play and crosses into the box, which caused problems for the Gaziantep defence. The match served as a useful test for both coaching staffs, highlighting areas for improvement ahead of the competitive season.

Standout Players

For Gaziantep FK, the goalscoring forward showed predatory instincts, while their central midfielder dictated play with crisp passing. OFK Beograd’s goalkeeper made several important stops to keep the scoreline respectable, and the goalscorer’s determination epitomised the home side’s fighting spirit.

Pre-Season Context

For OFK Beograd, this friendly continues their build-up to the Serbian lower league season, offering a stern test against top-level opposition. Gaziantep FK will be pleased with the workout and the victory, as they integrate new signings and build match sharpness before their Süper Lig opener. International club friendlies often produce unpredictable results, but both teams will have gained useful insights from this competitive 90 minutes.