Cambridge United's next match was the EFL Trophy quarter-finals against Bristol Rovers.
As a traditional English competition, the EFL Trophy is the third most influential cup competition in England, after the FA Cup and the League Cup.
The main participants in this competition are 46 teams from League One and League Two, and in 2015, 16 youth teams from the Premier League and EFL Championship were also included.
Although this competition has considerable influence, not every team takes it very seriously.
Huang Hao originally didn't plan for a major breakthrough in this cup competition, but who would have thought that the opening opponent of this season would be the club's arch-rival?
Cambridge United thus stumbled into the knockout stage.
And the generous prize money received for winning each match also made Huang Hao unable to stop.
Darren quickly prepared detailed information on the opponent. And the opponent's Head Coach, Trollope, piqued Huang Hao's interest.
Paul Trollope, in his previous life, was the one who led the not-so-strong Rovers team into League One this year, showing his coaching prowess.
At the pre-match press conference, Trollope high-profilely commented on Huang Hao to the media.
In his opinion, having no professional player experience would be Huang Hao's biggest weakness.
An excellent Head Coach should have also been an excellent professional player.
While belittling Huang Hao, Trollope seemed to be subtly praising himself.
Reporters, fearing no trouble, quickly turned their microphones to Huang Hao, wanting to hear his response.
Huang Hao laughed heartily after listening, first highly praising Trollope's coaching ability, especially the forward line, which has currently scored 20 goals (Cambridge United's forward line has already scored 35 goals, those who know, know), then changed the subject and directly suggested that reporters go and ask Mourinho or Boas for their opinions.
When Trollope said these words, he obviously forgot that Huang Hao was not the only academic Head Coach.
“The outcome of this EFL Trophy match will prove that a Head Coach who can’t play football can still win matches.”
Huang Hao, not afraid of making waves, gave Trollope a strong rebuttal with a very confident statement.
Amidst their back-and-forth war of words, the EFL Trophy quarter-final was held as scheduled at Abbey Stadium.
Before taking the field, Huang Hao did not prioritize his rivalry with Trollope, as that would make the Head Coach seem too self-serving.
“Everyone, before this match begins, I May have to tell you some regrettable news.”
After much thought, Huang Hao decided to boost the players' morale with another matter.
“Simmons might have to say goodbye to everyone after this match.”
Before Huang Hao finished speaking, there was an uproar within the team.
Simmons had not spread the news, so for the Cambridge United players, this matter came as a great surprise.
“If you want to say goodbye to him, you have enough time.”
“But while wishing him well, I hope you can give him a beautiful ending to his Cambridge United professional career with a clean and decisive victory!”
Seeing the players' excited expressions, Huang Hao knew he had done the right thing.
In the first half, Bristol Rovers kicked off first. After a few passes, the ball was kicked out of bounds by a Bristol Rovers player under Cambridge United's high-pressure pressing, and Cambridge United regained possession.
May steadily received Tutanda's throw-in, glanced forward, and suddenly kicked the ball with a long pass into Bristol Rovers' half!
At this moment, Dzeko and Simmons, who were on the same line as Bristol Rovers' three center-backs, instantly sprang into action!
Simmons took the lead, directly shaking off Bristol Rovers' Pelé, and ran towards the Bristol Rovers penalty area!
When the ball accurately landed in front of Simmons, he hooked it with his foot and steadily brought it down! After stopping the ball, Simmons took a touch forward and had already entered Bristol Rovers' large penalty area!
The defender chasing Simmons at this time was still a meter away!
Facing the charging goalkeeper, Simmons gently chipped the ball, and it obediently flew into Bristol Rovers' goal!
1:0!
In just 44 seconds after the start, Cambridge United broke the deadlock and scored against Bristol Rovers!
Trollope on the sidelines, his features seemed to be twisted with anger, as his proud young players conceded a goal in just 44 seconds of play!
In the 10th minute of the first half, Bristol Rovers earned a free kick in the attacking third.
After a simple pass, the team's future star Willock sent a diagonal long pass directly to Lopez on the left side of the penalty area!
At this moment, there were no Cambridge United players near Lopez!
Such excellent passing vision made Huang Hao's mouth water!
Lopez obviously wouldn't miss such an opportunity, sending a beautiful inswinging cross!
Lurking in the Cambridge United penalty area was Lambert, the top scorer from Bristol Rovers! Lambert firmly pinned down Songo'o, and with a beautiful diving header, easily broke through Pantilimon's grasp!
1:1!
If Lambert couldn't be contained, then they would get it back on the offensive end!
Huang Hao continuously waved his right hand towards the Bristol Rovers penalty area from the sidelines, and the players understood!
Today, they would attack without restraint!
Trollope felt that this Oriental man from Cambridge United was too arrogant. No matter what, he had been deeply involved in coaching for many years; he wouldn't be outmaneuvered by a second-year Head Coach!
However, reality slapped Trollope in the face, repeatedly!
In the 20th minute of the first half, Cambridge United launched another long pass from the back!
This time, the ball was received by Cambridge United's star striker Dzeko!
Immediately, all three Bristol Rovers defenders swarmed towards Dzeko! Seeing this, Dzeko showed no panic. As the defenders closed in, he gently pushed the ball with the inside of his foot, threading it through the gap!
The unmarked Vardy successfully received the ball near the penalty spot!
What followed was a very easy pull-back and powerful shot!
2:1!
Cambridge United took the lead again!
Trollope was furious!
He rushed to the sidelines, shouting loudly at his players, constantly gesturing with two fingers towards his eyes, as if he wanted to gouge them out!
When Simmons once again used his speed to beat Bristol Rovers' young defender, Trollope simply turned his back to the field, expressing his disappointment in the team.
Simmons, however, didn't care about Trollope's feelings and dribbled into the penalty area at lightning speed!
He calmly pushed the ball into the far corner!
3:1!
Seeing Simmons celebrating wildly, Huang Hao felt a mixture of emotions.
At this moment, he both admired his own shrewd judgment and felt melancholic that the team was about to lose a key player. It was truly agonizing!
After the second half began, Lambert remained unstoppable!
After receiving a pass from Smith Lowe at the edge of the penalty area, Lambert turned and shot simultaneously, and the ball went straight into the top corner!
3:2!
At this point, Lambert had almost become Trollope's entire hope.
Seeing this, Huang Hao simply assigned two players to mark this strong and dark player!
Two fists are no match for four legs; under the double-teaming, Lambert's movements were clearly restricted!
In the 62nd minute of the second half, Cambridge United used a corner kick opportunity to once again heavily impact Arsenal!
In the chaotic penalty area, MacKenzie unleashed a powerful shot, adding another goal for Cambridge United!
4:2!
Abbey Stadium was completely engulfed in madness!
Over 5,000 fans at Abbey Stadium loudly chanted MacKenzie's name, singing songs adapted for him, making MacKenzie feel like he would become the king here!
Meanwhile, Trollope on the other side fell into despair.
In front of Cambridge United, Bristol Rovers, ranked fifth in the League, was completely a tier below!
Bristol Rovers, somewhat disinclined to fight, conceded another goal in the 84th minute from a corner kick, scored by Dzeko, making it
5:2.
Today, Cambridge United vividly taught them a lesson!
The post-match statistics further convinced Trollope and the Bristol Rovers players.
Cambridge United had a total of 20 shots throughout the match, with 17 on target!
If it weren't for Bristol Rovers' goalkeeper's excellent performance, Trollope might have faced a massacre today!
Thus, with a 5:2 victory over Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United advanced to the semi-finals!
And Simmons quickly reached an agreement with Blackburn on a personal contract, transferring to Blackburn for a price of 300,000 pounds.
Huang Hao looked at the 300,000-pound check, feeling like crying but no tears came out.
In due time, Simmons could have been sold for 3 million!
But at this moment, for a mere 300,000, he had no choice but to let go!
After experiencing such a heartbreaking scene, Huang Hao's determination to lead the team into higher-level Leagues as soon as possible became incredibly firm.
Perhaps, only then can the team avoid more 'Simmons' situations.
