Kim Bo-kyung debuts for Cardiff City

South Korean international midfielder Kim Bo-kyung of Cardiff City made his English soccer debut Tuesday.

The 23-year-old came on as a substitute for Craig Noone on the 90th minute with his side leading Millwall 2-0 in the second-tier Championship league.

It was his first appearance on an English pitch since joining Cardiff City on July 27 on a three-year contract from J-League Division 1 side Cerezo Osaka in Japan. He returned to Cardiff City after playing for the Korean national side against Uzbekistan in a World Cup qualifier on Sept. 11.

He sat out the previous two games involving Cardiff City, though he was on the bench.

With its third successive win, Cardiff City was able to stay at fifth in the table with 13 points.

“Things were different from what I saw at the bench. Though I played briefly, I felt many things,” Kim told a Korean sports daily. “My first goal is to play as many games as possible. For now, the top priority for me is to adapt to English football.”

Meanwhile, his compatriot midfielder Lee Chung-yong of Bolton, another second-division club, started away against Birmingham, but was replaced on 59 minutes.

Bolton lost the match 1-2 after Marlon King’s 48th-minute penalty shot broke the 1-1 draw. Bolton is 15th in the league with seven points.

Lee was an unused substitute in the previous game against Watford last Saturday.

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