“I was thinking, perhaps I was too gentle in this match, which gave you this misconception.”
“We are indeed unable to compete with Chelsea in terms of strength right now, but that doesn’t mean we have to play politely with our opponents!”
“Remember, to make a player respect and remember you, it must be because of your excellent performance on the field! Not because of that certain someone who I dribbled past twenty times in one match!”
Hearing Huang Hao’s accusations, the Cambridge United players all lowered their heads.
Just as their Boss said, they seemed to have been completely intimidated by Chelsea’s superstar aura, and their tackles had become overly polite, as if they were afraid of injuring their opponents, completely lacking their usual strong confidence.
“So, lads!”
“This won’t be our only chance to play against Chelsea!”
“I don’t want them to leave this match without a single impression of you.”
“Show the Cambridge United spirit, play to your strengths! Remember Hereford?!”
When the name Hereford appeared in Huang Hao’s mouth, the players instantly understood the tactics their Boss wanted.
In last season’s Wembley battle, Hereford’s incredibly proud forward line was shattered by Cambridge United’s collisions, and the team successfully advanced.
From then on, Cambridge United’s ferocity and brutality made every opposing team wary, and this was precisely the soul that Cambridge United had lost in this match!
Thus, after the second half began, the Cambridge United players’ eyes lit up again. This time it wasn’t admiration, but confidence, that mysterious confidence Huang Hao hoped for!
Soon, Lampard used another surgical pass to precisely find Drogba in the crowd.
Drogba received the ball with his back to the goal, and just as he completed his turn, he was knocked to the ground by Songo’o!
He angrily raised his hands to complain to the referee, but this time the referee was unmoved.
Once, twice, thrice!
Gradually, Chelsea’s players and Mourinho noticed the difference between Cambridge United and the first half. The brutal collisions and continuous fouls made the match fragmented and completely disrupted Chelsea’s rhythm.
This meat grinder tactic seemed to awaken the bloodline of Mourinho and Chelsea.
Chelsea was known as the Premier League’s meat grinder, so in this match, everyone would compare whose meat grinder was duller.
Soon, Mourinho began to make substitutions.
Essien came on, replacing Robben.
Kalou replaced Shevchenko, and Bridge replaced Ferreira.
Immediately, both sides engaged in fierce midfield battles, with continuous fouls and constant whistles, making the match fragmented. Mourinho shook his head dismissively, yet was somewhat helpless.
The boos echoing through Stamford Bridge did not intimidate the Cambridge United players.
The players were not merely using fouls to interrupt the match, but rather, in the scramble for the ball, they were searching for a glimmer of opportunity to deliver a powerful counterattack to Chelsea!
In the 62nd minute of the second half, Cambridge United once again brought down Makelele in Chelsea’s backfield.
Chelsea quickly took the free kick, passing it to Ballack.
Ballack quickly shifted the ball to the right wing, while he himself charged into Cambridge United’s penalty area, attempting to pass a Cambridge United defender with a one-two!
However, just as the ball was about to reach Kalou’s feet, Simmons suddenly burst out, intercepted the ball, and immediately passed it to the midfield!
Tadić took the ball without any hesitation and continued to pass it forward! Vardy and Terry started simultaneously!
With just three simple passes, Cambridge United brought the battle into Chelsea’s penalty area!
Vardy carried the ball to the byline, then gently pulled it back, successfully evading the returning Terry!
At this moment, a classic scene thrilled Mourinho on the sidelines!
Cambridge United had four players simultaneously lined up from left to right, storming into Chelsea’s penalty area!
Simmons, Cole, Dzeko, Sager! The entire Cambridge United attacking line, poised and ready, was in position!
Chelsea’s defenders, however, had only three players at this time!
The instant Terry slid to the ground, Vardy quickly tapped the ball back to near the edge of the six-yard box!
In a flash, Cole was the first to arrive!
Facing the substitute goalkeeper Hilario, Cole gently pushed the ball with the inside of his foot, and the ball quickly passed under Hilario and into the Chelsea goal!
3:1!
Cambridge United actually scored first in the second half!
Huang Hao excitedly rushed to the sideline, shouting at Cole, and then gave him a big hug!
Mourinho, on the other hand, stood motionless with his arms crossed over his chest, as if deep in thought.
After the goal, Cambridge United’s morale soared, and they even managed to suppress Chelsea in their own half for a time!
However, Chelsea, who had long been accustomed to major challenges, would not be defeated by this one goal. They merely increased their defensive intensity slightly, which immediately made Cambridge United feel immense resistance.
And in the eighty-second minute, Drogba scored with a header from a corner kick.
4:1.
As the match neared its end, just when everyone thought it would conclude, the Cambridge United players still did not give up.
Pantilimon kicked a long goal kick, finding Simmons directly in the midfield.
Simmons lightly flicked the ball, evading Chelsea’s defenders, and then passed it to Sager ahead.
The Cambridge United captain made a chipped pass, and the ball flew directly over the heads of Terry and Carvalho, landing at the feet of his teammate Vardy!
The young English prospect quickly carried the ball into the penalty area, and just as Chelsea’s returning defenders were about to get back into position, he blasted the ball towards the goal!
Hilario reacted swiftly, tipping the ball over the crossbar with one hand!
Vardy clutched his head, filled with regret for missing such a golden opportunity!
Before Cambridge United could take the corner kick, the Head Referee Andy blew the whistle for the end of the match.
Clearly, this corner kick could not change the fact of Cambridge United’s defeat.
Ultimately, Huang Hao’s team did not create a miracle, losing 1:4 to Chelsea away, and missing the opportunity to advance to the next round of the FA Cup.
At the post-match press conference, facing the barrage of reporters’ cameras, and then recalling the scene at Abbey Stadium yesterday where only two reporters were present, Huang Hao was filled with emotion.
The influence gap between the two teams was simply too vast.
At Chelsea’s home ground, the main focus of media interviews was naturally Mourinho.
Since his team had won, Mourinho was in a good mood, so he patiently answered the reporters’ questions.
However, one reporter, lacking tact, directly pressed Mourinho on why he substituted Shevchenko early in the second half and didn’t continue to attack proactively, instead being caught off guard by Cambridge United’s sneak attack.
Mourinho’s already perfunctory smile instantly vanished.
After a moment of silence, Mourinho coldly told the reporter to remember today’s match result, which was 4:1.
Huang Hao smiled silently beside him, not expecting Stewart to throw him a question:
“Mr. Huang Hao, your style of play in the second half was very similar to Mourinho’s tactics.”
“And some media have also stated that you are currently the person most similar to Mr. Mourinho in coaching style. What are your thoughts on the ‘successor’ claim?”
“No, no, reporter sir.”
Hearing Stewart’s question, Huang Hao waved his hands repeatedly, flatly denying it.
“Mr. Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest Head Coaches in the world, he is always unique.”
Huang Hao’s flattering reply instantly made Mourinho’s expression much more pleasant.
“Similarly, Huang Hao is also unique, I will not be anyone’s successor.”
Mourinho, who had been squinting and serenely enjoying Huang Hao’s praise, suddenly opened his eyes after hearing the latter half of the sentence!
Looking at the obscure oriental man beside him, he suddenly revealed a knowing smile.
“Huang Hao Doesn’t Like Mourinho!”
“Successor? I’m Not Interested!”
“Who Let the League Two Head Coach Be So Arrogant?!”
Huang Hao looked at the newspaper Mia, his assistant, brought him, and smiled helplessly.
The English media are simply geniuses at spreading rumors!
However, ever since Huang Hao took over Cambridge United, the team’s popularity has soared!
Although the team was eliminated by Chelsea in the FA Cup, through this match, the players gained more confidence.
After all, being able to score a goal in half a match at Chelsea’s home ground was enough to prove the team’s potential!
Returning to the League Two arena, encouraged by this match, Cambridge United went all out, displaying the demeanor of a strong team.
4:1, 6:1, 6:0!
Cambridge United, who made their opponents doubt life, transformed into the highest-scoring team in League Two.
And Lincoln City’s performance in the new year was somewhat unsatisfactory; after losing two consecutive matches, they were already thirteen points behind Cambridge United!
The English media, most adept at adapting to changing circumstances, immediately changed their tune after seeing Cambridge United’s continued strong performance in the latter half of the League season, praising the newly promoted team.
It was as if the articles that initially suggested Cambridge United would be a flash in the pan were not their doing at all.
Entering the winter transfer window, besides studying the opponents’ situations, Huang Hao’s most important tasks were contract renewals and strengthening the squad.
After all, players who had not yet reached a contract renewal agreement with the team at this time had less than half a year left on their contracts, which also became a good opportunity for Cambridge United to take advantage of the situation.
At the same time, the contract renewals for Cambridge United players were also proceeding in an orderly manner.
Huang Hao completely entrusted this matter to the Football Director Adams.
Only when difficulties arose would Adams need to report to Huang Hao.
The players were not foolish; after experiencing Cambridge United’s rapid changes, if they didn’t have better options, they would generally agree to renew their contracts.
Of course, if a player’s skill level could not meet Huang Hao’s requirements, they also faced the risk of unemployment.
After all, professional football is so cruel; it’s impossible to increase the team’s burden out of pity, especially for Cambridge United, which was heavily in debt.
After a comprehensive evaluation by the coaching staff, Darren had already informed the players who would not be renewed early, so that they could find new homes as soon as possible.
Huang Hao also gave the green light on transfer fees, charging almost no fees, as expecting to get rich from League Two players was no different from dreaming.