Three days later, the lads from Cambridge United were unaffected by their previous loss. Back on home turf, they defeated Huddersfield 2-1, securing 88 points, a full 30 points ahead of seventh-placed Southend United, and qualifying for the playoffs with nine rounds to spare!
However, Cambridge United, already nine points ahead of second-placed Swansea, clearly had ambitions beyond just the playoffs! Nevertheless, securing a playoff spot still garnered media attention, and Cambridge United was given a resounding nickname: "The Cure for All Disobedience"! This also boosted Cambridge United's morale for their upcoming match against Middlesbrough!
Huang Hao knew that defeating Boro would not be easy and required significant effort. Boro's Head Coach also successfully caught Huang Hao's attention.
He was none other than one of Middlesbrough's most outstanding members, their defensive core, Gareth Southgate. With the big match approaching, Gareth Southgate did not look down on Cambridge United. At the press conference, the humble Southgate repeatedly praised Cambridge United, believing that Huang Hao had built a talented guard, a model worthy of study by all clubs.
And Qiao Zhuoyan similarly admired Giggs as a great player.
Seventeen years, over 500 matches, 30 goals, three championships, and zero red cards. He made 57 appearances for the national team, scoring two goals. He was captain for all three teams he played for: Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough.
As a player, Southgate may not have won a top League title, but he excelled in team honors and stability, especially in cup competitions.
After retiring in 2006, Southgate immediately took over as Middlesbrough's Head Coach, though his results were not ideal: 12th in the League and reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals. This season, Boro's performance also hovered around tenth place, but they had already reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Currently, Boro's star player is midfielder Stewart Downing, the team's attacking core, with three goals and five assists so far. Another star player is defender Woodgate, who was loaned from Real Madrid at the beginning of the season but has had limited appearances due to injuries.
Compared to their midfield and defense, Middlesbrough's attack lacks star power. Turkish forward Tuncay Şanlı currently has four goals, and French winger Aliyadi Lei is fast and good at breakthroughs, but his technique is average, and his assists and goals are limited. Another forward is hated by all Chinese people; he is the Korean forward Lee Dong-gook, but he has only appeared once in half a season. There isn't a single Boro player in the top twenty of the Premier League's top scorers.
On March 9th, the FA Cup quarter-finals officially kicked off. The Riverside Stadium, which can accommodate 34,000 spectators, was filled with approximately 30,000 fans. The League's slump made the FA Cup the only pursuit for Boro fans.
In the away team's locker room, the players were making their final preparations before the match. For the defense against Aliyadi Lei, Huang Hao assigned the task to loan player Warren, a center-back with extreme speed who, in the latter half of the League, surpassed Hawkins to become Suxi's regular partner.
Assistant Head Coach Darren reiterated the tactical setup and each person's task, then handed the time over to Huang Hao, which was always a regular feature before every team match.
Huang Hao once again gathered everyone and spoke to the players with a powerful voice:
"After defeating Manchester City and Wolves, we drew a Premier League team."
"Boro has been fluctuating between the Premier League and League One during the Premier League era, but this does not mean that the opponent is worse than us! Quite the opposite! When a team has nothing to play for in the League, the cup competition is where they seek glory!"
"However, this Premier League team still has a very obvious weakness: their attacking power is weak, and their top scorer only has four goals. So as long as we play well in attack and don't get impatient, Boro won't be our opponent."
"Next season, we will step onto the EFL Championship stage, and today, win this match! Tell everyone that you have the confidence to do something in the EFL Championship!"
Huang Hao pounded his chest with his fist:
"Come on! To Wembley!!!"
"To Wembley!!!" Flames ignited in the eyes of the Cambridge United players!
Amidst the shouts of 30,000 fans at the Riverside Stadium, the match officially began!
From the start, Cambridge United frequently attacked Boro's heartland, clearly wanting to tell Gareth Southgate's team that Cambridge United was no weakling!
In the 6th minute of the first half, Tuncay Şanlı passed the ball to Caicedo, who was in an offside position, giving Cambridge United a free-kick in their own half.
Mark Bola kicked the ball to Tadić on the wing. Facing the immediately pressing Boro player, Tadić transferred the ball to Lansbury in the center.
Cambridge United's midfield maestro, possessing an extremely excellent passing vision, quickly spotted Bennett, who was running towards Boro's penalty area in the far end. So Lansbury directly lofted the ball into Boro's penalty area with the outside of his foot!
Bennett, who had cut in from the right wing into the penalty area, volleyed the ball directly without waiting for it to land!!!
Thud!!! The trembling crossbar made Boro's players break out in a cold sweat!
Twenty-four minutes into the first half, Cambridge United was almost completely dominating Boro, but unfortunately, they couldn't create many good opportunities under Boro's tight defense.
Boro got a free-kick in their own half.
Nordtveit kicked the ball to Boateng in the attacking third. Boateng glanced at Tuncay Şanlı, who was already running into Cambridge United's penalty area, and unhesitatingly passed the ball to him!
Tuncay Şanlı, despite being sandwiched by Suxi and Warren, still managed to get the ball due to his excellent physical condition! Tuncay Şanlı used his arm to fend off Suxi's shove while vigorously swinging his right leg to kick the ball towards the goal!
The ball went directly under Pantilimon's armpit, grazing the post and going out of bounds! A sigh of disappointment echoed through the Riverside Stadium.
Huang Hao, on the sidelines, shook his head. Although he had emphasized before the match that Tuncay Şanlı must be shut down, it was easier said than done on the field!
Four minutes later, Cambridge United won a free-kick on the left side of the penalty area, with Lansbury standing over the ball. After a short run-up, Lansbury kicked a rapidly dipping knuckleball! Boro's goalkeeper Schwarzer reacted incredibly quickly! He swiftly dived to push the ball out of bounds! Another round of applause erupted at the Riverside Stadium!
In the 39th minute, Lansbury once again delivered a good pass. Dzeko won the sprint against the defender, getting a one-on-one opportunity!
After breaking into the penalty area, Dzeko took a shot, but the ball went directly over the bar!
"Dzeko! Are you in a hurry to go home and eat?! Settle down! Settle down!"
Huang Hao's explosive roar caught Gareth Southgate's attention. Looking at the young man in his thirties, Southgate smiled kindly. After a period of contention, the first half ended with both teams drawing 0-0.
Huang Hao walked into the locker room with a cold face. The players knew that when the boss was angry, it meant trouble for them.
"Do you know? In my homeland, there was once my favorite team that created a myth of 55 unbeaten matches."
In the home team's locker room, Huang Hao did not overly criticize the players but instead told a story.
"Do you know what made its opponents most despairing?"
The players all looked up, hearing this astonishing number.
"I'll tell you, it was a king's aura. In every match, it didn't matter if its opponent was leading, because the pace of the game would always be firmly in their hands until they won."
"We have the most supportive fans here. You once defeated the arrogant Manchester City! Today's Boro is just a small fry! What's there to panic about?!"
"Everyone calm down! Play at your own pace! As long as you believe you can win this match! The result will definitely be that way!"
Huang Hao's lads had gradually developed a big heart. However, after successively reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals, their mentality underwent some subtle changes. Now, they were once again pulled back by Huang Hao.
Three minutes into the second half, Cambridge United won a corner on the right side, with Bennett still taking the kick.
Bennett and Lansbury executed a tactical corner routine, then passed the ball to Vardy outside the penalty area.
Vardy dribbled to the edge of the big penalty area arc, then suddenly made a horizontal move, directly faking out Chester's defense! He then curled a shot with his left foot!
The ball curved through a gap in the crowd, heading straight for the bottom left corner of the goal!
Schwarzer, whose vision was blocked by the crowd, was clearly half a beat slow in his save! When he dived to his left, the ball had already gone over his head!!! 1-0! Cambridge United scored right at the start of the second half!!!
The suppressed emotions in the Cambridge United fan section at the Riverside Stadium were instantly released! The fans rushed directly behind the advertising boards, celebrating with the players with raised fists! Meanwhile, Boro fans booed loudly.
After the goal, Cambridge United's morale soared! They consistently dominated Middlesbrough, making it hard to believe this was a match between two different League levels!
In the 69th minute, Cambridge United once again won a free-kick on the left edge of the big penalty area, with Cole taking it again.
This time, Cole, who chose to shoot with power, still couldn't beat Schwarzer's save! The ball, flying rapidly towards the goal, was tipped over the bar by Schwarzer's diving save!
The stadium once again erupted in cheers! Clearly showing appreciation for Boro's goalkeeper's divine save!
As time ran out, Boro's players clearly became impatient, and long balls started to increase, while Cambridge United's players continued to organize their attacks methodically, patiently waiting for opportunities.
In the 75th minute, Huang Hao substituted Wilshere for Lansbury, and Lewandowski for Dzeko.
In the 77th minute, Boro had a throw-in. Cole read Bryan's throw-in directly, getting ahead of Mole and kicking the ball straight to Vardy!
Vardy immediately passed the ball to Lewandowski, who was advancing through the middle. Cambridge United players surged towards Villa's territory like a tide!
Lewandowski carried the ball through the middle to the edge of Boro's penalty area. Facing three defenders, he feigned a shot! Then he passed the ball to Bennett on the left!
Bennett took two touches to carry the ball to the byline, then gently back-heeled it, faking out Bridges, and directly crossed it in front of the goal!
At this moment, Lewandowski, who had arrived just in time, shot low from the center. The close-range shot, imbued with immense power, flew directly into the goal! 2-0!
Facing the jubilant Cambridge United players and fans, Gareth Southgate displayed a rare composure. The Head Coach was like a strong stimulant, able to quickly calm the Villa players on the field.
In the 81st minute, Boro won a throw-in in Cambridge United's attacking half.
Mole quickly threw the ball to Bryan. After receiving the ball, Bryan immediately passed it to McGinn in the middle.
McGinn took two steps forward, then passed the ball to Downing on the left. Downing dribbled to the corner of the big penalty area, then made a feint to shake off the pressing Cole, then cut inside, and before Suxi could close him down, he curled a shot with his right foot.
The ball arced beautifully, heading straight for the goal! It went directly into the top left corner of the goal!
Worldie!!! Middlesbrough pulled the score back to 2-1!!!
The fourth official on the sideline quickly held up the board for one minute of injury time. At this point, there were only four minutes left until the end of the match.
Boro played the ball forward. Nagy still wanted to pass the ball to Tuncay Şanlı! The ball was directly intercepted by Warren, who had moved in front! Then he immediately kicked it to Bennett!
Bennett delivered a precise half-volley, sending the ball to Lewandowski's feet!
Saquiel once again chipped the ball to Vardy in the middle!
Vardy took long strides, quickly dribbling the ball forward! He eluded the defense of Nordtveit and Bryan! Schwarzer leaned slightly forward, constantly adjusting his position with Vardy's movement!
Vardy suddenly stopped! A chip shot! Aiming for the top of the goal!
Schwarzer could only watch in despair! 3-1!!! Cambridge United scored again!!!
Huang Hao clenched his fists, pumping them hard against his chest, and roared to the sky!!!
Gareth Southgate, on the other hand, walked back to the coaching bench from the sidelines, somewhat dejectedly, and slowly sat down.
In the 92nd minute, Boro won the last corner kick of the entire match.
Boro's Caicedo walked towards the corner flag, ready to take the kick. "Beep," the referee blew his whistle. Cambridge United made a substitution. Huang Hao replaced Vardy with Kante. Vardy jogged towards the bench. Boro player Bryan became impatient and pushed Vardy, urging him to hurry. Vardy, taking advantage of the push, covered his head and fell down.
Bryan looked at his hands in confusion. Cambridge United's on-field captain Cole quickly ran over, roaring and pushing Bryan. Players from both sides immediately gathered, exchanging pleasantries.
"Beep," the referee unhesitatingly gave Bryan and Cole a yellow card, then immediately ended the match, leaving only Caicedo standing at the corner flag, contemplating life!
Cambridge United defeated Middlesbrough 3-1 away from home, advancing to the FA Cup semi-finals!
