After the League Cup match, Cambridge United had to travel away again to challenge Barnet, who were ranked twenty-second.
At this point, it was only 3 days until the Coventry match.
The dense schedule of matches made Huang Hao a little worried about the depth of his team's bench. After all, constrained by the club's tight financial situation, Cambridge United only had a standard 23-man squad this season.
Cambridge United, with several player changes, relied on the excellent performance of Tadić, who made his first start, with two assists and one goal, securing all three points in a 4-3 goalfest.
Huang Hao was generally satisfied with the team's overall performance and did not blame the players. After all, the League has a long 46-round season, not to mention the team had just finished a tough battle, and the team's tactics demanded high physical exertion from the players, so squad rotation would become the norm.
On the way back to Cambridge United Training Base, Huang Hao asked Assistant Coach Darren for information on the next opponent. Hearing that the next match was in the EFL Trophy and also only 3 days away, Huang Hao immediately thought of giving up.
After all, ensuring Cambridge United could successfully be promoted to the League One at the end of this season was the team's top priority. For other matches, it was enough to give substitute players some experience and just go through the motions.
Upon hearing Huang Hao's decision, Darren hesitated and told Huang Hao that the next opponent was Peterborough United.
"Oh my god, why is it the damn Peterborough United!"
As soon as he heard the name Peterborough United, Huang Hao's head swelled, and he complained wildly to Darren.
"Uh... the specific reason, no one knows anymore. We only know that on the first day of joining the team, the boss will tell us, remember, Peterborough United is our sworn enemy, we must never lose!!!"
Darren shook his head. As two teams from the same Cambridge shire, every match between them was full of gunpowder, and everyone wanted the opponent to call them 'daddy'.
"Sigh, I really don't understand why there are so many enemies! There's also Oxford United, it's just that everyone isn't in the same League, so it's rare to play them! Otherwise, I'm afraid the Abe Stadium would almost become a battlefield!"
Huang Hao shook his head helplessly.
"Actually, Hao, the EFL Trophy still has benefits. At least each win earns a 10,000 pound bonus, which is better than the League Cup."
Darren added again.
"No problem, old buddy! We must go all out!"
"Money isn't important, what's important is that we love to win!"
Darren's words instantly invigorated Huang Hao, who seemed like a completely different person compared to a few minutes ago.
Despite proclaiming to go all out, when the match truly began, Huang Hao still used some rotational players.
After all, after this match, Cambridge United would face Hartlepool, who were currently ranked lower than them, at home.
This was a good opportunity for Cambridge United to prove themselves, while the match against Peterborough United was just a group stage match in the EFL Trophy. In the 37th minute of the first half, Peterborough United took the initiative, exploiting Cambridge United's high press with a long pass from their own half, instantly tearing apart Cambridge United's entire defense and directly finding Curtis upfront.
The unmarked Curtis calmly chipped the ball into the net from the edge of the box, giving Peterborough United the lead.
The subsequent match then fell into a stalemate, with both sides attacking and defending, and the midfield becoming a battleground. Cambridge United struggled to equalize.
Just as Peterborough United's Head Coach Dino thought the 3 points were within his grasp, Cambridge United's substitute German youngster Clark, in the 85th minute of the match, utilized his individual ability on a counter-attack to successfully break open Peterborough United's goal!
1-1!
Before Peterborough United's players could recover from this goal, they were dealt another huge blow!
In the 89th minute, Peterborough United's defense in the penalty area accidentally pulled down a Cambridge United player, and the referee pointed to the 12-yard spot—a penalty!
Under immense pressure, Aaron Cole scored with a single kick, leading Cambridge United to complete a great comeback!
Clearly, Lady Luck was still on Cambridge United's side today. Although the process was not ideal, Cambridge United ultimately trampled their sworn enemy underfoot.
At the post-match press conference, although there were only two reporters, Dino was full of complaints, believing his team was just unlucky and that the penalty was too far-fetched.
Huang Hao held his forehead with his hand. The person sitting opposite him at that moment seemed like a young wife who had suffered many years of grievances, constantly recounting her woes.
Finally, Huang Hao couldn't bear it anymore. He slammed the table hard, interrupting Dino's complaining.
"Mr. Dino, if I'm not mistaken, we will meet again in 18 days, at your home stadium."
"At that time, Cambridge United will make you lose convincingly! Excuse me, everyone!" After saying that, Huang Hao stood up and left the press conference directly. The word 'gentleman' did not belong to him at that moment.
And Dino, opposite him, looked at the departing Huang Hao with a shocked expression, uttering 'unbelievable' three times in a row!
18 days later, London Road Stadium.
Usually, only over 100 Cambridge United fans would travel with the team, but today, more than 500 showed up!
Looking at the rather spectacular Posh army behind Peterborough United's goal, Huang Hao truly felt what it meant to be sworn enemies.
In the pre-match team setup, Huang Hao did not make major adjustments specifically for Peterborough United. After all, Cambridge United had been in excellent form recently, defeating Hartlepool 3-0 and Rochdale 3-1, achieving two consecutive wins.
After this match, sports media personalities no longer dared to underestimate Cambridge United.
Cambridge United's sudden rise in League Two also made everyone truly realize that it no longer seemed like the old Cambridge United. Peterborough United, on the other hand, was completely different from Cambridge United. They had only achieved one draw and one loss in the League.
At this time, they encountered their sworn enemy, and more than ten days ago, Huang Hao had publicly issued a challenge to them. Head Coach Dino was under some pressure.
Huang Hao looked at the high-spirited Cambridge United players and said with a bit of embarrassment:
"Sorry everyone, after all, your boss isn't very old, and sometimes, well, maybe a bit too arrogant."
"You know, a while ago at the press conference, I told Dino that they would definitely lose today!"
"Uh, I hope you don't make me lose face, otherwise, if I'm in a bad mood, you might suffer too!"
As he spoke, Huang Hao's demeanor suddenly changed, and he let out a wicked laugh, giving the players goosebumps.
After the match began, Cambridge United quickly suppressed their opponents, taking the initiative.
Watching his team being pushed back, Dino's face at the sidelines twitched slightly, and his expression grew even darker.
In the 12th minute of the match, Cambridge United won a corner kick.
Grove was still taking the kick, and Captain Sager was once again lurking outside the penalty area, as if to recreate the scene from the League Cup.
Peterborough United's players were clearly aware of that goal.
So, the moment Grove passed the ball to Sager, Peterborough United's players immediately swarmed out, rushing towards Sager to prevent him from shooting!
Sager, however, suddenly distributed the ball back to the left, returning it to Grove's feet!
Tactical corner? No shot?
Peterborough United's players were a bit at a loss, so they changed direction and rushed towards Grove again!
At this moment, Grove decisively lofted the ball into the penalty area!
With this back and forth, Dzeko in the penalty area was completely unmarked at this point!
In open space, he unceremoniously chipped the ball directly into the net!
0-1!
Shortly after the start of the second half, Cambridge United once again had a corner kick. After being tricked by Cambridge United in the first half, Peterborough United's players were on high alert.
What made them even more frustrated was that Grove was once again taking the corner, and Sager was once again lurking in the big penalty area!!! Peterborough United's defenders were almost in tears, not knowing how the two would combine this time!
Grove did not give the opponent time to think. This time, he still passed the ball to Sager!
Sager burst into the penalty area! Just as Peterborough United's players closed in, he quickly executed a one-two pass with Grove!
When the ball returned to Sager's feet, three Peterborough United players simultaneously came to double-team him!!
And Simmons, who was nearby, was unmarked again...
Sager naturally passed the ball to Simmons, who scored with a clean long-range shot, earning a 140-pound goal bonus!
0-2!
This goal shattered the hearts of Peterborough United's players, who had just regained their confidence at halftime and wanted to equalize in the second half.
Dino's fast equalization tactic, set up at halftime, also became meaningless.
Even with a two-goal lead, Cambridge United's lads seemed not to have had enough fun and continued their performance.
In the 62nd minute, Sager scored a rebound in front of the goal, making the score 0-3!
In the 74th minute, Cambridge United scored again from a set piece. This time, center-back Suxi also got on the scoreboard...
0-4!
Although Peterborough United scored a consolation goal in the 82nd minute, it still couldn't stop the boos from all directions at London Road Stadium.
Being told by the opposing Head Coach that they would lose the match before it even started, and then actually being slaughtered 4-0 by the opponent, Dino's days at Peterborough United will probably not be easy from now on...
Ultimately, Cambridge United's lads, under Huang Hao's threats and inducements, went all out and defeated their opponents 4-1, achieving a double!
What made Dino want to cry without tears was that the two teams still had one more encounter this season! What to do! Defeating the club's sworn enemy twice in a short period of time was like injecting a strong stimulant into the players, greatly boosting the team's morale.
Cambridge United's young lads gradually gained strong self-confidence in the matches.
As Huang Hao said, in lower Leagues, morale and strong willpower are far more important than tactics.
