 Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, left, celebrates his goal with teammates during their Europa League Group I match against Udinese at Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday. / AP-Yonhap |
By Yoon Chul
Celtic Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yueng scored his first goal in the Europa League against Udinese with a penalty in his second appearance in the competition.
At Parkhead Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, Ki presented the home side with the lead after just three minutes but the Scottish powerhouse couldn’t hold onto their advantage conceding a spot kick just two minutes before the final whistle to see the Italian club snatch a 1-1 draw.
With this result, Celtic are still at the bottom of Group I with just one point from two games.
“It is sad because we could have won. Regarding it as a good experience I will give my all every day,” Ki tweeted after the game.
Though Celtic stumbled, the 22-year-old Korean, now in his second year with the club, continued his ascendancy.
Ki recorded an offensive point for the fourth consecutive game having scored once and provided two assists in his last three Scottish Premier League outings.
Danilo Larangeira brought Gary Hooper down in the 18-yard-box and the referee awarded a penalty.
The Korean international calmly dispatched the ball into the top left corner for an early lead.
Udinese defender Mehdi Benatia got on the end of a free kick and found the net in the 63rd minute but the referee ruled the effort offside to the relief of the home fans.
Ki almost doubled the advantage five minutes from time with a powerful shot.
Georgios Samaras’ low cross from the right reached the Korean at the edge of the box. He rifled a shot but Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic’s outstretched right hand denied him a second.
The Scottish side seemed to have done enough for a first victory in this season’s Europa League but Udinese, joint-leaders in Seria A, were handed a late penalty. Hooper was adjudged to body-check Brazilian Neuton in the box and Almen Abdi leveled the game from the spot.
The draw means the Italians share top in Group I with Atletico Madrid on four points. Rennes are third with the same points as Celtic but have a slightly better goal difference.
