Park Chu-young makes debut for Celta Vigo in Spanish league


South Korean football star Park Ji-sung of Queens Park Rangers showed his trademark athleticism in his team’s goalless draw against Chelsea on Saturday.

At Loftus Road, the 32-year-old made his fourth straight full-time appearance for the club in the English Premier League.

Positioned on the left wing, he moved swiftly, creating several goal opportunities and covering the defense. But Park, wearing the captain’s armband, could not help his side break the deadlock against the UEFA Champions League title holder.

The draw ended Chelsea’s run of wins, the club having been the only side to win all its games of the season before Saturday. QPR is still in search of its first win after two losses and one draw.

Rangers lost the services of fullback Fabio da Silva and striker Andrew Johnson to injuries suffered before halftime.

Former Inter Milan star goalkeeper Julio Cesar made quality saves in his debut match in QPR uniform.

But the match was not all one-way. Fourteen minutes after kick-off, Park crossed to Bobby Zamora from left near the box, but Zamora’s shot was saved by goalie Petr Cech.

In the second half, Park continued to threaten to open up the visitors’ defense. Fifty-five minutes into the game, he stirred the home crowd with a by meeting a fine cross from Esteban Granero, but his header went straight at Cech.

Park later attempted a shot from inside the area on 63 minutes but it went over the bar.

The two sides continued to exchange shots but each had to settle for a point.

The atmosphere before kickoff was heavy with animosity. QPR defender Anton Ferdinand snubbed Chelsea’s John Terry and Ashley Cole at the pre-match handshake. Ferdinand came face to face with Terry for the first time since the England star was found not guilty of using a racial slur against the QPR defender in a regular league fixture last October.

Park’s compatriot Ki Sung-yueng of Swansea City was not used as a substitute in its match against Aston Villa. Ki was placed on the substitutes’ list, possibly allowing him to recover from his appearance for the Korean national team in its World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan on Sept. 11. Swansea lost 0-2, tasting its first defeat of the season.

In the second-tier English Championship, South Korean international Kim Bo-kyung of Cardiff City also warmed the bench at the team’s home match against Leeds United. Cardiff secured a tough 2-1 win.

Korean midfielder Lee Chung-yong of Bolton also sat out his side’s 2-1 home win over Watford.

In the Spanish league, Korean striker Park Chu-young debuted up front for Celta Vigo.

The 27-year-old replaced Iago Aspas 71 minutes into an away match at Valencia, with his club trailing 1-2. At 82 minutes, Park rushed to a cross from Enrique De Lucas outside the box, but the ball was narrowly snatched away by the goalkeeper. Valencia went on to win 2-1.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)