Huang Hao sat in the tactical analysis room, watching replays of Wolves' recent matches over and over again.
Unknowingly, five hours had passed. Huang Hao turned off the TV and wearily rotated his sore neck. Then he closed his eyes and continuously massaged the Jingming acupoint above the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.
Huang Hao knew that defeating Wolves was not something that could be achieved by mere talk. Especially after his team defeated Manchester City, other teams would be even more wary of Cambridge United. Most teams stumbled against Wolves mainly because they didn't have a sufficient understanding of the team. After all, no one wanted to spend too much energy on such a small team; they just needed to execute their predetermined strategy. And it was precisely this mindset that gave Cambridge United an opportunity.
Huang Hao only opened his eyes when his phone alarm rang. He had an evening dinner appointment with Lin Kexin, and he had set an alarm in advance, fearing he might become too engrossed and forget the time.
It took only ten minutes to drive from the Cambridge United base to St. Mark's Hospital. Lin Kexin was indeed already waiting by the roadside, peeking out with her cute little head for his arrival. The two quickly arrived at a Chinese restaurant in the Harrow area. Lin Kexin, as usual, chattered away, sharing interesting stories from her work with Huang Hao, often giggling. It was only when he was with Lin Kexin that Huang Hao could truly relax.
When dinner was almost finished, Huang Hao stretched out a big lazy yawn to relieve his fatigue.
This scene naturally did not escape Lin Kexin's eyes. She quickly inquired about the reason for Huang Hao's exhaustion, as, being from a medical background, she could clearly see the changes in Huang Hao's expression.
"Next match, we will challenge a team from the EFL Championship. It will be very difficult."
"Is it Wolves? Are they even stronger than Manchester City?"
Lin Kexin, who had already become a Cambridge United fan, could now clearly remember Cambridge United's opponents.
"Although they are not as famous as Manchester City, they are very tough. Manchester City faced financial difficulties, and their players were not united. Wolves, however, have performed very well this season, and their player style is very similar to ours."
Lin Kexin giggled again upon hearing Huang Hao's explanation.
"Coach, I believe in you! No team is without weaknesses, and I don't believe they can win every match! That would make them the world's number one!"
"First, no, but last place, yes, that's true."
Huang Hao said jokingly. After saying this, Huang Hao was stunned!
Limited strength, tenth in the League, League Cup second round, FA Cup fifth round. Gradually, the ideas in Huang Hao's mind became clearer! Wolves' weakness was precisely here!
Thinking of this, Huang Hao stood up and kissed Lin Kexin on the forehead.
"You truly are my little lucky star!"
"I'm going back now! I need to have a meeting with the coaching staff! You take a taxi home!"
With that, Huang Hao quickly paid the bill and then ran towards the parking lot!
Lin Kexin was stunned! After a long while, she said, somewhat pouting yet happily:
"Men are all big scoundrels! They take advantage and then run!"
Wolves also played nine matches across three competitions in January. More importantly, they had to play Sheffield Wednesday just four days after their FA Cup fifth-round match.
Compared to promotion to the Premier League, the FA Cup was of paramount importance to Wolves! So they would definitely go all out!
On February 16th, Cambridge's Abbey Stadium was once again sold out. Looking at the packed stadium, Li Jianqin seriously told Huang Hao:
"Perhaps we should consider expanding the stadium."
"Tell your dad to send over seven million pounds first to clear the club's debts."
"Then send another twenty million pounds, and I'll hang your uncle's photo on the main stand," Huang Hao rolled his eyes at Li Jianqin and offered his suggestion.
"Excuse me! Farewell!"
Li Jianqin dejectedly sat back in the coaching dugout. Huang Hao, after the warm-up, returned to the locker room with the players.
"In the FA Cup third round, you defeated the strong Manchester City here, and you also helped me win a girlfriend and the team's physiotherapist."
Huang Hao's opening remarks made the players burst into laughter. "Actually, for a League One team like us, reaching the FA Cup fifth round is already a very good achievement."
Before anyone could wonder why he was being so modest, they heard Huang Hao's addition.
"However, I hate it when people look down on us. Whether it's Sven-Göran Eriksson or McCarthy. They all think defeating us is as easy as squashing an ant."
"So today, you will charge onto the field like warriors and teach these bastards a harsh lesson!"
"Compared to the League, the FA Cup is a competition where they are more likely to win honors, so this match will be very difficult. Everyone must be prepared for a tough fight."
"Go tell them how men from England play football!"
"Cambridge United!!!"
"Victory!!!"
Accompanied by this slogan, shouted hundreds of times, the passionate Cambridge United players walked onto the field.
However, when both sides submitted their starting lineups, Huang Hao exclaimed, "McCarthy, you old trickster!" Despite being so arrogant in the press conference, McCarthy used a mixed lineup of half-starters and half-substitutes in the match. Neither the main goalkeeper nor the main striker played. Recalling McCarthy's ambitious declaration of Premier League promotion within three years when he took office last year, Huang Hao had thought it was just a show, but unexpectedly, it was real.
He miscalculated, but fortunately, he had asked the players to go all out, so there shouldn't be any major problems.
The main referee, Taylor, blew the whistle to start the match. The Cambridge United players were stunned when they saw their direct opponents; why didn't they recognize many of them? Should they still execute the boss's original strategy of solid defense and counter-attack?
While the Cambridge United players were deliberating, Wolves launched wave after wave of attacks. In the fifth minute, Wolves continuously won three corner kicks, and the Cambridge United penalty area was in an uproar.
Upon seeing this, Huang Hao called over captain Cole, "Are they unable to play because they didn't field many starters? Change of tactics, push up and kick their butts hard."
In the ninth minute, Andy Keogh had just received the ball in the attacking third when he saw Cole charging towards him, followed by a sharp pain in his ankle.
Beep! Taylor immediately stopped the play. Cole had committed a foul.
But, that was all.
Keogh lay on the ground for a while before getting up, constantly jumping in place to confirm his ankle was fine. The faint throbbing pain told him he needed to be careful of these butchers today!
Not just Keogh, other Wolves players quickly realized that Cambridge United players were no longer as timid as they had been at the start of the match! Cambridge United players started playing fiercely, and their fouls were extremely subtle, making Wolves players miserable!
In the 16th minute, Cambridge United won their first corner kick of the match, taken by young Bennett.
Cambridge United's players had evidently undergone meticulous planning and design before the match. After the players quickly took their positions, Bennett immediately sent in the corner kick!
Tadić, who was originally on the edge of the penalty area, immediately ran towards the six-yard box the moment Bennett touched the ball!
As he hung in the air, the ball perfectly stopped in front of him!
Tadić headed the ball towards the goal! The ball flew straight towards the top-left corner of the goal!
Murray desperately dove for the ball, but the tricky angle of the header left him out of reach!
However, the crossbar, at the critical moment, helped him block the ball!
Cradock, in front of the goal, immediately kicked the ball out of the penalty area with a big clearance! Wolves narrowly escaped!
Just two minutes later, Henry had just brought the ball into Cambridge United's half when MacKenzie brought him down with a sliding tackle! The problem was, Taylor did not blow for a foul!
Before Henry could even complain, Cambridge United had already passed the ball to Dzeko in front of Wolves' penalty area!
Dzeko shot!
The ball was firmly held by Murray!
McCarthy couldn't sit still. He rushed to the sideline and loudly protested to the main referee, and was immediately warned by the fourth official! With an angry expression, he finally understood why Sven-Göran Eriksson had been so furious. Although Cambridge United players' tackles were extremely aggressive, they tried their best to be discreet, and in the physically demanding English game, they were simply not worth a foul call.
The overcast sky began to drizzle, making it even more difficult for Wolves.
Keogh finally managed to shake off defender Hawkins and earned a one-on-one opportunity, but his shot was way off target and was directly saved by Pantilimon!
In the 33rd minute, Potter received a throw-in from the right side and sent a long pass directly to Iwelumo at the top of the penalty arc! Iwelumo, without waiting for the ball to land, struck a side-volley!
The ball flew like a cannonball towards the goal! Pantilimon performed another miraculous save! He tipped the ball over the byline!
A collective gasp erupted from the stands! Then the fans gave their warmest applause to Pantilimon!
Subsequently, Henry took the corner kick, and Darren's header went over the crossbar. Wolves' effort was fruitless!
In the 44th minute, Potter dribbled the ball, initiating an attack from Cambridge United's right flank! Seeing Tadić's sliding tackle, he skillfully pulled the ball to the left, causing Tadić to slide into thin air!
Just as he was about to feel smug, a cold gust of wind suddenly swept past his feet, and then he was lying on the ground!
And the ball had already been tackled by the covering MacKenzie to Dzeko!
Fortunately, Wolves quickly regained possession! Potter, ignoring the pain in his leg, gently threaded the ball through!
Keogh once again had a one-on-one opportunity!
Hawkins and Warren tried their best, but couldn't keep up with Keogh's pace!
In front of Keogh, only Pantilimon remained, and he once again chose to chip the ball towards the top-left corner of the goal!!!
The shot went high!!!
McCarthy threw down his water bottle, muttering something under his breath!
Perhaps Daka should come on in the second half! Regardless, they needed to make some good adjustments at halftime!
Just then, Pantilimon kicked a long goal kick to Vardy in midfield. Vardy, upon receiving the ball, immediately passed it to Bennett on the wing. Bennett turned and shielded the ball, and at that moment, Mark Bola had already quickly surged forward from the left!
So Bennett immediately passed the ball to Bola. Bola used the instep of his foot to curl a shot! It went directly to MacKenzie at the edge of the penalty area!
MacKenzie turned and squeezed into the penalty area. Facing Ward, he directly pushed the ball towards the far corner of the goal!
The ball passed through Ward's fingertips and settled firmly into the net! 1:0! Cambridge United took the lead!!!
Abbey Stadium erupted in the pouring rain!!!
McCarthy felt a chill throughout his body! He didn't know if it was because of Cambridge United's goal or the damned heavy rain!
"You're playing like absolute garbage!!!"
"They're just a League One team! League One!"
In the away team's changing room at Abbey Stadium, all the players silently lowered their heads, only McCarthy's roar could be heard.
"Now you're a goal down, attack! Attack with all your might!"