After the first round of the EFL Championship, people were surprised to find that Cambridge United was at the top of the League!
Although shocking, it was only the first round, and various experts still maintained their view that Cambridge United was a major favorite for relegation.
Huang Hao's mind was completely focused on the next match, and what gave him a headache was not only the opponent but also their fans.
The team that all England teams avoided was the famous Cardiff City.
Cardiff City Football Club was founded in 1899 and is the most historically rich football club in Wales, nicknamed the “Bluebirds.”
When Cardiff City is mentioned, it's not because of the impressive results the team achieved, but because behind this team are the most notorious football hooligans in the entire United Kingdom.
In the last century and even the early part of this century, during Welsh Derbies or important matches involving Cardiff City, Cardiff City fans would engage in fierce conflicts with their opponents.
“No one likes us, we don’t care.” As the Cardiff City fans sang in their song, no one likes us, but we don’t care.
Cardiff City fans have a natural rebellious gene, just like the bad kid in every class; the more isolated they are, the more rebellious and unwilling to yield they become.
What worried Huang Hao was not just his players.
Soon, he dialed Mikel’s number.
“Ah ha! Our dearest Huang! How are you!”
On the other end of the phone, Mikel’s hearty laughter quickly came through. Over the years, from their initial confrontation, Mikel had now become Huang Hao’s most loyal follower.
As Huang Hao said, after their first confrontation, Mikel never again had the chance to throw a scarf in Huang Hao’s face.
“Mikel, will your people still go to the next game? I’m a bit worried.”
Huang Hao didn’t beat around the bush and directly expressed his concerns.
“Hahaha! Are you afraid of those little rascals from Cardiff City! Even if the sky falls, it won’t stop The U's!”
Apparently, Mikel was not afraid of the bad boys from Cardiff City.
“Alright, to be honest, you’re not a West Ham fan (a hooligan group as notorious as Cardiff City), and you haven’t experienced a confrontation with them. Don’t be careless.” Huang Hao had long considered Mikel a good friend and didn’t want them to suffer unnecessary harm.
“Don’t worry, Huang! Cambridge United fans don’t cause trouble, but they’re not afraid of it either!”
“Alright, please be careful!”
“OK, oh, by the way, Huang, I have to say, you did a damn good job in the first game!!! Hahaha!”
After praising Huang Hao, Mikel finally hung up the phone happily.
Huang Hao put down the phone, shook his head, and still focused his energy on preparing for the match. After all, in recent years, the world has strengthened its efforts to control extremist fan organizations, and stadium security has improved a lot.
A few days later, the fully prepared Cambridge United players boarded the club’s bus and headed to Cardiff. This was also the first encounter between the two sides in recent years.
Upon entering Cardiff, the security measures in all streets were as usual, and the number of patrolling police officers was about the same as normal. After all, Cardiff fans don't cause trouble in every game. Huang Hao felt much more at ease after seeing this, even wondering if he was being too sensitive.
Although the bus was moving very slowly, it still arrived safely at Ninian Stadium. Ninian Stadium can accommodate more than 20,000 spectators, and today it looked completely full.
Cardiff City’s squad included former Liverpool player Robbie Fowler, but Fowler has been plagued by injuries and hasn't played much this year. There was also a forward, Fraser Campbell, signed from Manchester United, and the future Arsenal captain, Aaron Ramsey, though Ramsey had already transferred to Arsenal in the summer.
Seeing Mikel and The U's already in position in the North Stand, Huang Hao felt much more at ease. Mikel had brought over 900 people to Cardiff today, becoming Cambridge United's strongest backing.
As the match was about to begin, the heavy rain that had been brewing in the sky for a long time arrived as scheduled. This was Huang Hao’s least favorite weather; his entire mood also became somewhat terrible with the heavy rain.
The heavy rain did not dampen the fans’ enthusiasm, and Cardiff City’s team anthem, “Bluebirds Flying High,” was once again sung over Ninian Stadium. As Cardiff City fans sang in unison: “From Ninian Park to the City Ground!”
The match officially began! After the kickoff, Cambridge United’s players were not disturbed by the home fans’ momentum and were the first to launch an attack on Cardiff’s territory.
In the 6th minute, O'Connor, who continued to start this match due to his excellent performance in the previous game, received a pass from Dzeko and was about to advance when he was directly fouled by Maxwell!
Vardy quickly retreated, protected the rolling ball, then turned and evaded Daniel Gabbidon's defense!
Breaking into the penalty area, Vardy chose to push the ball towards the far corner of the goal just as Barrett and Legge closed in!
This ground shot, with the added effect of the rain, was extremely fast!
Goalkeeper Barrett quickly lowered his center of gravity and barely managed to block the ball out for a corner kick with his hand!
Cardiff fans immediately gave Barrett a warm round of applause, and then Cardiff’s most famous chant, “No one likes us we don't care,” echoed throughout Ninian Stadium!
Huang Hao had to admit that although Cardiff City’s reputation wasn’t great, the atmosphere at their home stadium was exceptional. It seemed that the fan atmosphere was one of the very important factors contributing to their leading home win rate in the EFL Championship.
Encouraged by the fans’ cheers, Cardiff City’s morale soared, and their offensive intensified. For a time, possession repeatedly changed hands in the midfield, and there were frequent instances of players falling over!
In the 13th minute, Cardiff City star Campbell received the ball with his back to the goal in midfield. Before he could even attempt to dribble forward, he was met with a direct flying tackle from O'Connor!
As the ball was tackled away, Campbell was also heavily knocked to the ground!
Huang Hao took a sharp breath, the young man was a bit too excited!
Fortunately, Campbell was not injured, but Cardiff City fans still showered O'Connor with boos and curses. This terrifying atmosphere made Huang Hao and the players feel as if a huge stone was pressing on their hearts, very oppressive.
O'Connor, who had never experienced such a situation, made a direct passing error. The ball hit Cardiff City's Barrett and rebounded to Kavanagh's feet in midfield.
Kavanagh immediately pushed the ball forward, passing it once again to Campbell.
After receiving the ball, Campbell glanced at O'Connor with lingering fear, confirming that the reckless young man had not shown his studs again, and quickly distributed the ball to the wing!
Left winger Maxwell got to the ball before Bennett, quickly accelerated, and sprinted towards the byline!
Just as the ball was about to cross the byline, Maxwell crossed it! The ball successfully evaded Bennett's interception!
The experienced Campbell firmly held his position, preventing Sun Jihai from getting in front of him, and headed the ball powerfully, directly breaking through Pantilimon’s defense!
Accompanied by cheers, Cardiff City scored in just 15 minutes at home, breaking through Cambridge United's goal!
At this moment, Huang Hao felt the stone in his heart grow a few more pounds.
Just one goal did not satisfy Cardiff City. Soon, the ball was once again advanced to the vicinity of Cambridge United's penalty area byline. Cole quickly tracked back, and Kavanagh used his backside to hold off Cole, firmly shielding the ball with his back to the goal.
Cole, feeling a bit impatient, pushed his opponent forcefully, and Kavanagh immediately fell to the ground as if electrocuted! The referee’s whistle blew! Cardiff City won a very well-positioned free-kick near the byline.
Mason only warned Cole and did not show a yellow card.
The one preparing to take the free-kick was Cardiff City’s Kavanagh. He retreated a few steps, glanced at his teammates’ positioning, exhaled lightly, then quickly ran to the ball and directly lofted it towards the far post!
The penalty area was crowded with players!
Barrett, lurking at the far post, used his physical advantage to tightly mark defender Suxi, then jumped up sharply, making a beautiful flicked header in the air!
The ball went directly into the goal, just inside the near post! 2:0!
Two goals in a row!!!
Within 2 minutes, Cardiff City easily took a two-goal lead at home!
Fans in the front rows of Ninian Stadium quickly surged to the advertising boards at the edge of the pitch! They frantically slapped the advertising boards with their hands, and security personnel, as if facing a formidable enemy, rushed forward to maintain order.
Huang Hao at this moment felt as if he was in a noisy market, somewhat flustered. He estimated that the players on the field were not doing much better. In the 23rd minute, Bonner received a throw-in from a teammate in the attacking third, and with a gentle flick of his outside foot, he evaded the pressing O'Connor, then accelerated towards the penalty area!
O'Connor, who had been easily bypassed, was not reconciled and immediately accelerated to chase after him!
After spotting an opportunity, just as Bonner was about to enter the penalty area, he once again launched a flying tackle!
“Ah!!!” Bonner’s scream immediately echoed through the stadium! He then clutched his shin and kept rolling on the ground!
Mason, fearing further trouble from the players, rushed to O'Connor’s front and unhesitatingly showed him a red card!!! When it rains, it pours! Cambridge United could only play with 10 men!
O'Connor stood stunned, somewhat unable to believe what was happening. He was sure he had touched the ball first!
Having never received a red card before, he didn't know what to do. He didn't argue with the referee and slowly walked towards the players' tunnel.
Huang Hao didn't go to comfort him. From his distant position, he couldn't see the details on the field and could only keep his eyes on Bonner, monitoring his injury.
Although Cambridge United was known for its fierce defense, it rarely committed malicious fouls.
Winning was not at the cost of crippling an opposing player!
After a brief treatment by the team doctor, Bonner was back on the field, lively as ever. O'Connor’s tackle must have hit his shin guard.
Huang Hao recalled the way he had rolled on the ground in pain just now and narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed he was a good actor!
The battle-hardened Cambridge United players were not overly emotionally affected by O'Connor’s red card. Based on the situation on the field, Huang Hao signaled Tadić and Bennett to move towards the center to share Cole's pressure, changing the formation from a 3-5-2 to a somewhat strange 3-4-2.
In the 28th minute, Cole intercepted Cardiff City’s pass in midfield, immediately passed it to the better-positioned Bennett, and then continued his own forward run to attract the attention of Cardiff City players.
Bennett, after receiving the ball, did not try to do too much himself, continuing to pass forward, slotting the ball to Ayu at the edge of the penalty area.
Upon receiving the ball, Ayu immediately attracted three Cardiff City players to surround him. Seeing this, Ayu used a gap to gently poke the ball with his toe, and the ball successfully landed at Dzeko’s feet!
Most crucially, Dzeko had a clear space in front of him at this moment, with no one defending him!
Dzeko immediately accelerated into the penalty area without hesitation!
Barrett rushed from Ayu’s side towards the penalty area to defend at an extremely fast speed, but still failed to stop Dzeko’s powerful shot from the edge of the box!
This shot was powerful and heavy, like a cannonball, flying towards the goal at an incredibly high speed!
Barrett had already come off his line and could only watch the ball fly into the net! 2:1!
Cambridge United finally pulled a goal back!