Konyaspor 0-3 Hull City | Pre-season highlights – Sky Sports

Hull City extended their unbeaten pre-season run with a commanding 3-0 victory over Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor in a friendly played in Konya, Turkey. The Tigers, preparing for their Championship campaign, showed sharpness in attack and defensive solidity as they moved closer to their competitive opener. While pre-season friendlies rarely carry the weight of competitive fixtures, this performance offered early indications of Hull’s readiness ahead of a campaign where they will be aiming to push for promotion. The match was broadcast live on Sky Sports, with highlights available on their platform.

Hull’s attacking trio seals the win in first half

The game was decided in the first half, with Hull taking control through two goals in the opening 25 minutes. The first came from a set piece routine, with a corner whipped in from the right by Andy Cannon and met by a towering header from Owen Coyle Jr. that beat the goalkeeper at the near post. Within minutes, Hull doubled their lead when a swift counter-attack, initiated by a recovered ball in midfield, culminated in a composed finish from inside the box by Ryan Longman. Konyaspor struggled to contain Hull’s movement in midfield, and their defensive line was stretched repeatedly by diagonal runs from the wide attackers. The third goal arrived in the 78th minute, when a quick break down the left channel led to a one-on-one finish from George Honeyman that sealed the win. Hull’s front three, rotating positions fluidly, created multiple chances and forced Konyaspor’s backline into repeated errors, particularly in transition.

Konyaspor’s defensive frailties exposed in Konya

For Konyaspor, the result highlighted defensive frailties that will need addressing before the league campaign begins. Their backline was exposed by Hull’s direct approach, particularly in the air and during transitions, with three of the four goals conceded originating from set pieces or rapid counter-attacks. The visitors’ pressing in midfield disrupted Konyaspor’s build-up play, and their inability to hold possession under pressure allowed Hull to exploit space behind the full-backs. The defeat follows a string of unconvincing pre-season displays for the Turkish side, raising questions about their defensive organisation and tactical cohesion ahead of the new season. Konyaspor’s manager, Selçuk İnan, will need to address these issues urgently if they are to start their Super Lig campaign competitively.

Implications for Hull’s Championship push

For Hull, the win is a positive step in their preparation, though the manager will likely downplay its significance in public. The Tigers’ attacking unit showed cohesion and intent, while the defensive shape remained compact throughout, with Liam Cooper marshalling the backline effectively. The performance suggests Hull are prioritising quick transitions and structured pressing, traits that could serve them well in the early stages of the Championship. With promotion a clear objective, every pre-season fixture is an opportunity to fine-tune systems and build momentum. The next challenge will be testing these patterns against stronger opposition in the coming weeks, including a potential clash with Championship title contenders.

While a friendly does not define a season, Hull’s controlled victory over a Super Lig opponent provides tangible evidence of their progress. Konyaspor, meanwhile, must regroup quickly if they are to start their campaign on a stronger note. For Hull, the focus now shifts to maintaining this momentum as they edge closer to the competitive start, with their first Championship fixture against Leeds United looming large in the diary.