Park faces tough challenge

QPR lose 5-0 to Swansea City

By Kang Seung-woo

Park Ji-sung is one of the most decorated players in the European leagues among Asian footballers.

However, his latest move from English giants Manchester United to doormat Queens Park Rangers is likely to present challenges that the 31-year-old Korean hasn’t faced since he first flew to the continent in 2002.

Park made his debut for his new club, playing the full 90 minutes in the season opener against Swansea City, wearing the captain’s armband.

However, his side was thrashed 5-0 by the South Wales outfit, which had never registered a win over the West Londoners at Loftus Road in the previous 19 matches, recording nine draws and 10 losses. Both teams survived last season following promotion to England’s top flight in 2011 — QPR finishing 17th and Swansea 11th.

The former South Korea captain, who played in central midfield instead of his familiar position on the flank, helped Mark Hughes’ men control large passages of play. He can be satisfied with his bigger role in this transition.

Although accustomed to winning titles during his European career, he is not likely to add to his medal haul anytime soon, especially following the opening-day rout.

Park, a native of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, claimed two Dutch league titles with mentor Guus Hiddink’s PSV Eindhoven. This was followed by winning the 2008 Champions League and winning the English Premier League four times with Alex Ferguson’s side.

Unlike his former teams, QPR have never won the top division in their 129-year history and struggled most of last season. They escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth in the season’s final match and are again predicted to stay in the lower ranks of the standings.

During the summer window transfer, Chairman Tony Fernandes shelled out some serious money on several new signings including Junior Hoilett, Andrew Johnson, Robert Green and Park, but as shown Saturday, the sea of new players has not yet gelled.

In addition, the defense, which troubled the team last season, was still terrible despite bringing in former Manchester United defender Fabio Silva and goalkeeper Green, two of whom were accomplices in the Swans’ goal spree.

“Park should adjust to the new surroundings well at QPR, much differently from those of his previous clubs,” SBS commentator Park Moon Sung said in a media interview.

“QPR may see losses outnumber wins.”