Tevez Scores 4, United Reaches Carling Cup Semis

While Park Ji-sung took a rest to prepare for the next English Premier League game, Manchester United reached the Carling Cup semifinals yesterday with a 5-3 win over the visiting Blackburn Rovers.

With Park on the bench, teammate Carlos Tevez had a brilliant performance with four goals.

Park had played six games in a row from a league face-off against Arsenal Nov. 8 to one versus Manchester City Monday. He started five of the six games.

In the final round of regional qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup Nov. 20, Park demonstrated his astonishing stamina over five straight games. Park stayed on the bench for rest, experts said.

Tevez played upfront and Ryan Giggs in the rear. Midfielder Luis Nani and Darron Gibson were put on the flanks.

United led 2-0 with a Tevez score in the 36th minute and Nani’s in the 40th minute. Though the Rovers rallied late in the game, Tevez dashed Blackburn’s momentum whenever it scored by firing more goals.

kimsk@donga.com