Just as Huang Hao led Cambridge United to a 3-1 victory over Grays Athletic, the other semi-final also concluded.
As expected, Hereford easily defeated Halifax 4-0, becoming Cambridge United's opponent at Wembley.
Hereford boasts the most formidable attacking line in the National League, with their two main strikers being Heinz from Premier League Brighton and Pike from EFL Championship Bristol City.
Together, the two have scored a terrifying 65 goals this season, while the team's substitute striker, Andrew, also from Premier League Huddersfield, has contributed 17 goals and 15 assists this season.
The opponent's exceptionally strong offense will indeed pose a significant threat to Cambridge United.
In their two regular League encounters this season, Cambridge United emerged victorious in both, giving them a psychological advantage.
However, this is the playoff final, and regular season results cannot be entirely relied upon. Moreover, in a single-elimination match like this, the performance of star players plays a more decisive role. Looking at the Hereford starting lineup predicted by the Cambridge United think tank, Huang Hao slowly began to notice some clues.
A cunning smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
The next day, at the Cambridge United Training Base.
The players were systematically conducting a scrimmage under Darren's guidance.
This season, apart from core tactical deployments, Huang Hao rarely intervened in regular training. After all, he hadn't held his coaching certificate for long, and Cambridge United's coaching staff was more professional than him in regular training. Soon, today's training was nearing its end, and Huang Hao felt greatly comforted watching the fully committed, panting players.
After everyone had gathered and stood still, he suddenly asked Grove, who was on loan from Bolton, a question:
"Grove, what do you fear most when playing football?"
Grove was stunned. He clearly hadn't expected the Head Coach to suddenly ask such a question, and for a moment, he didn't know how to answer.
"Uh, uh, this, I guess it would be injuries."
After thinking for a while, Grove gave his answer. "MacKenzie, what about you?"
Huang Hao did not continue to press Grove but turned to ask MacKenzie, who was on loan from Hull City.
"Gaffer, me too, what I fear most are those damned injuries!"
Both of them had suffered from injuries this season, fortunately, only minor issues that could be recovered from in about two weeks.
However, the experience of being injured still left a deep impression on them.
Huang Hao nodded in satisfaction, then confidently told the players: "Lads, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we will definitely win the Wembley showdown."
"Because I've found Hereford's most fatal weakness!"
The players would no longer rashly question Huang Hao, but they were still very interested in his words.
"Heinz, from Brighton."
"Pike, from Bristol City."
"Andrew, from Huddersfield."
Huang Hao did not rush to reveal the answer but reeled off the names of Hereford's key offensive players as if they were precious possessions.
"They are all rising stars from the Premier League and EFL Championship."
"But, unfortunately, not a single one of them is from Hereford."
"Grove, MacKenzie, don't overthink it. Next season, if you're willing, Cambridge United will always welcome you."
To avoid causing harm to his own team while striking the enemy, Huang Hao quickly gave a heads-up to the loan players in the Cambridge United squad.
"They've performed exceptionally well this season. Next season, they clearly want to go to a bigger stage or even establish themselves in the first team."
"So, I think, in the game, you can be a bit brutal, the more brutal the better."
"Let them truly experience what Cambridge United's toughness is like, and also let them be careful not to return to their parent clubs with injuries."
After speaking, Huang Hao revealed a cunning smile.
The Cambridge United lads instantly understood their coach's intention.
They just hadn't expected their seemingly gentle and humble Head Coach to be so cunning. It seemed it was better to be cautious around this Chinese man.
Compared to Hereford, the drive from Cambridge United Training Base to Wembley Stadium only took about forty minutes, so Cambridge United players didn't need to check in early as they would for an away game.
On a pleasant evening, the assembled Cambridge United players boarded the club's bus one after another, preparing to head to Wembley Stadium in central London to face their final opponent in the promotion play-offs, Hereford.
Old Jack slowly pushed open the training ground gate, and after watching the bus drive away, he stood to the side, raising the club scarf in his hand, hoping the players could feel his desire for victory.
Huang Hao saw this scene and felt a deep reverence for the elderly man's dedication.
On the way to Wembley, vehicles carrying Cambridge United fans occasionally passed by.
Some fans leaned out of sunroofs, holding Cambridge United team flags, roaring wildly, as if the team had already secured victory.
The entire city of Cambridge was enveloped in a festive atmosphere, making Huang Hao sigh in admiration that a fifth-tier League in England could have such a strong atmosphere, truly enviable.
Soon, the bus drove into the vicinity of Wembley Stadium.
Huang Hao saw Wembley's iconic arch in the distance, and his heart instantly swelled with excitement.
Although he had visited Wembley Stadium when he first arrived in London.
But as a Head Coach, having the opportunity to command a match on this pitch was an unparalleled honor.
Thanks to England's excellent football traditions, finals at any League level are always held at Wembley Stadium.
Even a playoff final in the fifth-tier League was no exception.
So sometimes, Huang Hao even felt that direct promotion by finishing first seemed to be a disadvantage.
As dusk fell, Wembley's arch, with its excellent lighting, looked like a beautiful rainbow bridge at night, perfectly complementing the famous giant Ferris wheel, the "London Eye," not far away.
The beautiful night scenery captivated the Cambridge United players participating in the match.
After all, like Huang Hao, they were almost all rookies, filled with longing for this football sanctuary. Soon, the team entered Wembley Stadium and began their pre-match warm-up training to adapt to the pitch.
As soon as they stepped onto the field, the fans of both teams, who had been waiting there for a long time, erupted in thunderous cheers, causing goosebumps and immense excitement.
Although Wembley Stadium can accommodate 100,000 people, only 33,000 fans were present today.
But it still left Huang Hao somewhat shocked; this was England's fifth-tier League!
Playing in front of tens of thousands of spectators for the first time filled Huang Hao and the Cambridge United players with passion.
After the team finished their pre-match warm-up, the players returned to the changing room for their final preparations for the upcoming match.
Darren tirelessly repeated the tactical points of the pre-match setup. As an assistant coach, despite partnering with a rookie Head Coach, it did not affect his professionalism in the slightest.
Huang Hao took the opportunity to look around. The bright changing room completely surpassed Abe Stadium.
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool—those seemingly out-of-reach giant clubs must have been here before.
Now, he and the Cambridge United players were fortunate enough to be a part of it.
Darren almost coughed up a lung before pulling Huang Hao back from his reverie. Seeing Darren's somewhat flushed cheeks, Huang Hao felt rather embarrassed.
"Sorry, Darren, I was just thinking about something."
A somewhat awkward Huang Hao smiled and apologized to Darren.
"Gentlemen, when I first met you all, I told you that the National League does not belong to us. What awaits us should be professional League."
"However, at that time, I was mercilessly mocked by several players."
With that, Huang Hao looked at Perrotta, who had been performing exceptionally well recently, and Perrotta sheepishly scratched his head.
"But, what makes me happy is that you have still accompanied me to this day, to Wembley."
"Perhaps, in 90 minutes, you can help me fulfill this promise!"
"Regarding the match, I don't want to emphasize too much. Darren has already told you what to do."
"What I want to say is, lads, remember today, remember this moment, and the excitement in your hearts."
"Remember, Wembley is definitely not our final destination."
"Next season, see you in League Two!!!"
With that, Huang Hao raised his fist above his head once more.
This time, what awaited him was no longer an awkward silence or a cold reception.
"Cambridge United!!!"
Captain Sager shouted loudly.
"Victory!!!"
In the Wembley changing room, the unified and extremely firm response of the Cambridge United players echoed.
Darren opened the changing room door and watched Huang Hao lead the Cambridge United players towards the Wembley Stadium tunnel.
