The press conference for the first EFL Championship match was held as scheduled at Abbey Stadium.
Seeing a full six reporters sitting in the audience, Huang Hao smiled happily. Stewart was finally not lonely anymore!
For the match against Charlton, the betting companies did not blindly trust Wigan; the odds given were 2.65 for Cambridge United to win and 2.5 for Charlton to win, with Cambridge United slightly at a disadvantage.
Connor, who worked for "442," asked first:
"Mr. Huang, this season's 2.0 odds show that Cambridge United will definitely be relegated to League One at the end of the season. Do you think you can make the bettors lose everything but their underwear?"
Connor's humorous question caused laughter among his colleagues.
Huang Hao, however, raised an eyebrow, somewhat displeased. It's the first press conference of the new season, the first question, and you ask me if we're going to be relegated? You jinx!
But Huang Hao was still full of humor:
"Mr. Reporter, why leave them with even their underwear?"
"Pfft!"
Captain Sager, who Huang Hao had brought along to the press conference, burst out laughing upon hearing his boss's reply.
There was an even louder burst of laughter from the audience.
Connor evidently got the answer he wanted and sat down, smiling.
The subsequent questions were nothing more than about squad depth, pressure of the debut, and so on. Huang Hao, who was already familiar with the British media's ways, naturally handled them with ease.
"Mr. Huang, which team do you think is the favorite for relegation this season?"
Stewart finally posed his question.
"Stewart, you're an old friend of mine, and you're still trying to trick me! Are you that desperate for a story?"
Huang Hao's words clearly made the other media friends feel jealous; this was completely different from the polite Huang Hao just now!
Stewart, criticized by Huang Hao, felt embarrassed himself and quickly sat down without waiting for an answer.
"This season, if I absolutely have to pick a so-called relegation favorite, I'll give you a hint: it's Charlton! If you believe me."
He remembered that the great feat of being relegated three times in two seasons in his previous life happened during these two seasons, so Huang Hao boldly predicted that Charlton would definitely be relegated. Leaving this remark, Huang Hao left the press conference with Sager to make final preparations for tomorrow's EFL Championship debut, leaving the reporters looking at each other in dismay.
"Huang: Those who bet on Cambridge United's relegation, you will lose all your underwear!"
"Charlton will definitely be relegated, Huang Hao said!"
Huang Hao was utterly impressed with Connor when he saw the "442" report the next day!
His joke had blatantly turned into a declaration of war against everyone who doubted Cambridge United! These media people, it's hard for them not to become public enemies!
However, this matter was clearly not the focus at hand.
In Cambridge United's tactical analysis room, Huang Hao and the coaching staff were still watching video recordings of Charlton's matches to ensure Cambridge United's tactical deployment would be effective.
Currently, the coaching and scouting teams are in agreement that Wigan Athletic will likely continue to use a 4-4-2 formation in tomorrow's match.
The biggest weakness of a 4-4-2 against a 3-5-2 is that the midfield is outnumbered, leading to a loss of midfield control.
On August 9th, at 10 PM, after many days of anticipation from Cambridge United fans, the curtain finally rose on the England EFL Championship.
The Valley Stadium welcomed 25,853 fans, almost filling the entire stadium.
Mikel and The U's Legion, behind the goal, vigorously waved the battle flags of Cambridge United and the fan organization, directly raising the atmosphere on the field before the match even began.
With the debut imminent, Huang Hao naturally had to cheer on the Cambridge United players in the locker room.
Looking at the players, eager and ready for action, Huang Hao felt greatly comforted.
"You've all seen the reports, right?"
"Our reporter asked if we would make those gamblers who bet on us being relegated back to League One lose everything but their underwear."
"I confidently told the reporter that there's no need to even leave them their underwear!"
Huang Hao's words once again drew laughter from the players.
"So, lads! Whether you are Cambridge United veterans or new recruits who joined the team this year."
"Remember! Slapping faces is Cambridge United's favorite thing to do!"
"So, cheer up! Go out there and make them lose everything!"
After speaking, Huang Hao had a rather satisfied and enjoyable expression.
"Cambridge United!!!" Captain Pantilimon raised his arms and shouted!
"Victory!!!"
All the players collectively sounded the horn of attack for the new season!
Referee Taylor skillfully tossed the coin, completed the coin toss with both captains, and after confirming everything, directly blew the whistle to start the match!
This match was broadcast live on the official website by Li Jianqin, because Cambridge United has Sun Jihai and Charlton has Zheng Zhi, creating a topic-filled clash of Chinese elements that attracted many Chinese netizens to watch.
Cambridge United's first EFL Championship match in over 90 years officially began!
Charlton kicked off in the first half, and after the start, Charlton did not rush to attack, seemingly instructed by Head Coach Alan Pardew, attempting to observe Cambridge United first.
In the 13th minute, Wigan midfielder Gillespie's pass was directly intercepted by O'Connor, a new signing who had just joined Cambridge United!
After gaining possession, O'Connor immediately kicked the ball into an open area on the left side of the attacking half!
Bosnian youngster Tadić quickly overtook from behind! He directly passed Yuga in front of him and got to the ball first! Before Tadić could continue to dribble into the box, Yuga directly kicked his ankle from behind, bringing him down!
Tadić, who was suddenly hit, rolled on the ground a couple of times before the pain eased a little.
The referee did not hesitate to give Yuga a yellow card!
Clearly, Charlton's players wanted to tell Cambridge United, "Rookies, this is the EFL Championship!"
Subsequently, O'Connor's free kick did not pose a threat, resulting in a Charlton goal kick.
Sun Jihai turned to look at Charlton's players and quickly ran back to Cambridge United's half.
Then, Weaver took a long kick, sending the goal kick directly to Cambridge United's attacking half.
Lacombe, while looking back at the ball's trajectory, ran towards Cambridge United's penalty area, and when the timing was right, he jumped high!
Then he was heavily knocked to the ground! In great pain!
Taylor blew the whistle again!
The foul was committed by Sun Jihai. As Lacombe jumped, he accelerated and directly collided with Lacombe in the air!
Yellow card!
Sun Jihai didn't care, but coldly glanced at Lacombe lying on the ground, then turned and ran back to the penalty area to defend.
At this point, Charlton also felt the pressure from Cambridge United; clearly, this promoted team was also a tough nut to crack!
20 minutes into the first half, neither side had particularly good chances, and the score remained 0:0.
Cambridge United won a free kick in the midfield near the touchline.
Right-back Sun Jihai directly kicked the ball to the center circle, passing it to O'Connor.
O'Connor immediately sent a long pass, accurately finding Bennett on the left side of the attacking half!
Bennett carried the ball two steps along the left edge of the penalty area, then immediately curled the ball into the box with the inside of his foot!
Defender Ward rushed to meet the incoming ball at the far post, directly attempting to head the ball out of the box!
But after the ball hit Ward's head, there was a clear deflection!
It flew directly towards Vardy in the center of the penalty area!
Vardy, without waiting for the ball to land, volleyed directly!
Weaver had no time to react and stood watching the ball enter the net!!!
Cambridge United broke the deadlock! Scoring the team's first ever EFL Championship goal!
Vardy could not hide his excitement and ran directly to The U's Legion's position behind the goal!
He raised his hands forcefully forward! The fans followed Vardy's movements, all standing up and cheering, forming a wave!
"Cambridge United is awesome."
"Cambridge United is mighty."
Cambridge United's official website was flooded with these phrases.
However, just two minutes later, Charlton won a corner kick.
Zheng Zhi stood over the ball, and after observing, he directly lofted the ball into the middle of the penalty area! O'Connor felt that even with all his effort, he couldn't prevent Yuga behind him from jumping!
Yuga, who had a yellow card, headed the ball back over his shoulder! Sending it directly into the top corner!
Charlton, equalized the score!
The suppressed emotions at The Valley Stadium immediately erupted, and Charlton fans began to cheer and celebrate freely.
Alan Pardew high-fived his assistant coach while glancing at Huang Hao next door, with a half-smile. This scene was precisely caught by Huang Hao!
Pardew seemed to be telling Huang Hao, "Rookie, this is the strength of a strong team, learn from it!"
Huang Hao, who was about to return to the dugout, took two steps to the sideline and loudly called Dzeko's name.
Dzeko and the Cambridge United players, hearing the call, all looked at their Head Coach.
Huang Hao first turned to look at the Charlton Head Coach, then turned back, fully extended his right hand, turned his palm into a blade, slowly raised it, placed it on his neck, and made a forceful slashing motion!
Pardew couldn't help but feel a chill on his neck! He looked at this crazy Head Coach in surprise.
Barnet's players understood immediately, grasping Qiao Zhuoyan's intention, and unleashed their full offensive power!!!
It seemed the opposing Head Coach had successfully angered their boss!
In the 26th minute, Cambridge United won a throw-in on the left side of the attacking half. Bennett walked towards the ball.
At this moment, O'Connor, Cole, and Dzeko formed a triangular area, awaiting Bennett's throw-in.
Bennett threw the ball to Cole, who immediately passed it back to Bennett, who then passed it to O'Connor again. At this point, the three of them seemed to be doing a rondo drill on the training ground!
Poor Charlton right-back Yaxin was exhausted, running frantically in the middle of the three, being spun around in circles!
Fortune, who was responsible for marking Dzeko, couldn't bear it any longer and immediately ran over to assist!
Then, the middle of the rondo game became Yaxin and Fortune...
Cole, having received the ball again, stopped playing around and suddenly sent a cross into the penalty area!
Tadić at the far post drew his bow and arrow, taking a side volley that was unstoppable!
Five minutes after Charlton equalized, Cambridge United took the lead again!!! 2:1!!!
Pardew looked at the celebrating Cambridge United players, feeling a faint sense of unease.
In the 37th minute, Cambridge United won another corner kick.
O'Connor directly sent the ball to the far post, where Lovren jumped high in the crowd! He successfully passed the ball to Vardy nearby!
Vardy swung his right leg, taking a direct flick shot, and the ball hit the goalpost!
The rebounded ball fell back to Vardy's feet, and Vardy immediately took another shot!
Bayi, standing at the left post of the goal, directly blocked the ball with his foot! Charlton escaped a scare!
Although they didn't score, the approximately 900 Cambridge United fans at The Valley Stadium still gave the loudest applause to this English lad.
At halftime, Cambridge United returned to the home team's locker room with a 2:1 lead.
Huang Hao didn't say much, only telling the players one thing: use goals to shut up those who look down on Cambridge United! If one isn't enough, then two; if two aren't enough, then more!
As the second half began, Cambridge United players showed Huang Hao how excellent they were with their extremely high execution!
At 45 minutes and 30 seconds, Cambridge United threw in from the right side of midfield. Andre Ayew received the ball and advanced towards the edge of the penalty area. Before Fortune and Hudson could close him down, Ayew poked the ball with his toe! The ball obediently rolled behind Fortune to O'Connor!
O'Connor feigned dribbling towards the covering Fortune, but in the instant he started, he directly passed the ball to Dzeko, who was lurking on the edge of the penalty area!
Dzeko adjusted his posture and directly curled a shot towards the goal from the edge of the penalty area!
Weaver, despite his best efforts, could not stop this incredibly tricky shot and once again became the backdrop for a goal!
3:1!
Just as Charlton's players were still recovering from this conceded goal, Cambridge United came back with a vengeance!
Pantilimon passed the goal kick directly to Suxi, who then passed the ball forward to Dzeko! At this point, the ball had already reached Charlton's two defensive midfielders' position!
Huang Hao's prediction came true; Cambridge United had pierced Charlton's defense with just two passes!
Dzeko, receiving the ball with his back to goal, unhesitatingly kicked the ball to Charlton's right!
Vardy started simultaneously, successfully beating the offside trap! Yuga and center-back Fortune simultaneously rushed towards Vardy, who had burst into the penalty area, attempting to block his shot!
Vardy faked a shot and made a pass! He tapped the ball into the middle!
Andre Ayew arrived just in time and unleashed a powerful shot!
Weaver sat on the ground, angrily slapping the turf beside him!
Cambridge United scored a quick goal, 4:1!!!
Pardew sat in the dugout with a grim expression, having originally expected to smoothly secure an opening victory, he was instead being crushed by a promoted team!
Was he too proud too soon?! Damn it! He should have been more reserved!
Ayew ran around the sideline, celebrating wildly, enjoying the feeling of being king at The Valley Stadium! He absolutely loved it here!
In the 50th minute, Charlton executed a brilliant combination play!
On the edge of Cambridge United's penalty area, Zheng Zhi made a beautiful back-heel pass, deceiving Suxi's defense!
Varnie received the ball and unleashed a powerful shot!!!
The ball grazed the left post and flew out of bounds!!!
In the 59th minute, Charlton intercepted the ball in midfield and quickly organized a counter-attack!
Forward Dickson successfully beat the offside trap and burst into the penalty area! Facing Pantilimon's block, Dickson calmly chipped the ball into the top right corner of the goal! Successfully pulling one back! 4:2!!!
Dickson, at this point, couldn't even bother to celebrate; he immediately rushed into the net, picked up the ball, and ran to the center circle.
In the 72nd minute, O'Connor made consecutive successful tackles in midfield and kicked the ball long to the attacking half!
Charlton defender Butterfield, while running, did not observe the ball's landing point, and as a result, the ball hit his back and bounced to Andre Ayew!
Ayew skillfully brought down the ball and immediately dribbled towards Charlton's penalty area! Butterfield, to make up for his mistake, quickly chased after him and made a successful sliding tackle, directly dispossessing Ayew of the ball!
However, the one who gained possession of the ball behind was Cambridge United's golden left foot, Bennett!
Bennett carried the ball near the byline, then sent a high, floating cross directly towards the goal!
Dzeko at the far post jumped while running; his sufficient acceleration allowed him to beat Hudson to the ball!
And so, the ball entered Weaver's goal for the fifth time! 5:2! Cambridge United put on a massacre!!!
Ultimately, Cambridge United won 5:2 away against Charlton, putting on a perfect debut performance!
Even more surprising to Huang Hao was that Andre Ayew and O'Connor perfectly integrated into Cambridge United's lineup!