101: Battle of the Giants at Victoria Park

Sophie's gaze was as sharp as a blade, aimed directly at Lin Feng's weak spot.

"Miss Knightley is very interested in your grandmother's wisdom?"

Lin Feng smiled calmly, wiping his mouth lightly with a napkin.

"Miss Green, your imagination is better than your interviewing skills."

"But I'm more concerned about tomorrow's match; Nottingham Forest is not on the same level as Bristol Rovers."

The topic shifted so naturally, as if the globally attention-grabbing entertainment bombshell had never existed.

Sophie narrowed her eyes.

This man's composure both admired and puzzled her.

"Of course I'll go." She put down her wine glass. "I'm curious if your team can continue its myth when facing a truly strong opponent."

Lin Feng nodded and stood up, signaling for the bill.

Throughout the entire process, he never mentioned that name again, as if Keira Knightley had never existed.

Victoria Park, August 25, 2007

The afternoon sun streamed through the clouds onto the pitch.

A record 8,500 spectators poured into the stands, a miraculous number for Hartlepool.

Sky Sports' broadcast van was already in position.

Martin Tyler's voice was full of anticipation: "Welcome, everyone, to the third round of League One! Today is a top-of-the-table clash! The newly promoted Hartlepool United, with three consecutive wins, faces Nottingham Forest, who also maintain a perfect record!"

Alan Smith flipped through the tactics board: "This is a true test of Northern Storm's mettle! Nottingham Forest are two-time Champions League winners; their heritage and strength are unmatched by previous opponents."

"Both teams' starting lineups. Nottingham Forest fields a balanced 4-4-2 formation. Goalkeeper Paul Smith; the defense includes future Premier League champion captain Wes Morgan, whose task today is to shut down Vardy. The midfield is organized by Chris Cohen and Lewis McGugan, with the fast Chris Commons and powerful center forward Junior Agogo leading the attack."

Smith continued his analysis: "Hartlepool United maintains their winning lineup, an unchanged 4-3-3. Schmeichel; Walker, Shawcross, Nelson, Robson; Henderson, Sigurdsson, Tinkler; Maloney, Vardy, Snodgrass. Responding to change with no change, showing great confidence."

In the player tunnel, the two teams' players stood side by side.

Nottingham Forest players wore the calm demeanor of a veteran powerhouse, while the Hartlepool United lads appeared a bit nervous.

Wes Morgan glanced at Vardy beside him.

The Welsh center-back, 1.85 meters tall and weighing 85 kilograms, was like a moving wall.

"I hear you're fast?" Morgan whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.

Vardy looked up, a characteristic sneer on his lips: "You'll find out soon enough."

The match began!

Nottingham Forest immediately showcased the depth of a traditional powerhouse.

Their passing, control, and overall formation were excellent, immediately pinning Hartlepool United in their own half.

Chris Cohen's organizational ability in midfield was impressive; every pass was precise, controlling the team's rhythm perfectly.

Even more critically, Wes Morgan's restriction of Vardy in defense was highly successful.

The Welsh giant was like a magnet; no matter where Vardy ran, he could keep up in time.

His strong physique made it difficult for Vardy to find space to sprint.

In the first 15 minutes, Hartlepool United had almost no decent attacks.

In the box, Lin Feng closely watched the situation on the field.

The blue system interface in his mind rapidly processed, converting every detail into data streams.

The [Tactical Analysis] module quickly provided a conclusion: Nottingham Forest's overall strength was indeed superior to Hartlepool United's, but they also had weaknesses.

A red highlight appeared in the area behind left-back Matt Cohen.

Although this player's assists were sharp, the space left behind when he pushed forward was the most vulnerable part of the opponent's defense.

Lin Feng picked up his encrypted phone, his fingers rapidly tapping the screen.

"Instruction C: Feint. Have Maloney and Sigurdsson frequently interchange positions on the left and in the center, drawing the defensive focus. Then, use long passes to attack their left flank, having Snodgrass and Walker relentlessly assault the space behind Cohen."

Old John on the sidelines felt his phone vibrate. After glancing at the message, he walked to the edge of the technical area and made a few gestures to the field.

Hartlepool United's attacking direction began to subtly change.

Maloney and Sigurdsson started frequently interchanging positions on the left and in the center, and this unusual movement attracted the attention of Nottingham Forest's defensive focus.

At the same time, the right-wing "speed corridor" formed by Snodgrass and Kyle Walker began to exert its power.

In the 23rd minute, after Henderson won the ball in midfield, instead of looking for Vardy as before, he sent a long pass directly to the right flank.

The ball landed precisely in the space behind Matt Cohen.

Kyle Walker accelerated!

The young right-back's speed was astonishing, instantly leaving the tracking midfielders behind.

Matt Cohen desperately chased back, but Walker's speed made him despair.

Walker sprinted to the byline, and facing the closing angle, delivered a high-quality cross.

Unfortunately, Vardy was tightly marked by Wes Morgan, and this attack failed to pose a threat.

But Nottingham Forest's coach had already realized the problem.

He loudly warned Matt Cohen on the sidelines not to push too high.

Over the next ten minutes, Snodgrass and Walker repeatedly attacked Nottingham Forest's left-wing defense, keeping Matt Cohen scrambling and no longer daring to easily push forward to assist.

Nottingham Forest's offensive began to wane.

As the first half neared its end, Hartlepool United got a chance for a quick counter-attack.

Schmeichel kicked a long ball, and it was again precisely aimed at the right flank.

Kyle Walker dribbled at high speed, facing the returning Matt Cohen.

Everyone thought he would choose to cross.

But Walker made a move no one expected.

He suddenly cut inside!

Matt Cohen's weight was entirely shifted towards the touchline; he had no time to adjust.

Walker, like a flash of lightning, cut into the box, facing the onrushing goalkeeper Paul Smith.

Time froze at this moment.

The entire Victoria Park held its breath.

Walker subtly flicked the ball with his right foot, and it passed through Smith's legs.

The net rippled!

1-0!

Hartlepool United took the lead!

Victoria Park instantly erupted, 8,500 spectators letting out earth-shattering cheers.

Walker sprinted towards the corner flag, pulling off his jersey and wildly waving it above his head.

Teammates swarmed him, surrounding the young hero.

Martin Tyler's voice was trembling: "Unbelievable! Kyle Walker, with a perfect cut-in, tore through Nottingham Forest's defense! This is the power of youth! This is the might of Northern Storm!"

Wes Morgan stood at the center circle, his face as dark as water.

He watched the celebrating Hartlepool United players, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"Damn kids," he cursed under his breath, "In the second half, I'll show you what real football is."

Vardy heard this and looked back at Morgan.

That look was full of defiance and disdain.

"Old man," Vardy said in a voice only Morgan could hear, "Your era is over."

The half-time whistle blew, and the players walked towards the tunnel.

Nottingham Forest players looked grim; they hadn't expected to be so disheveled against a newly promoted team.

Hartlepool United players, however, were exceptionally excited, but Old John stopped them in the tunnel.

"Gentlemen," Old John's voice was serious, "This is only the first half. The real test is in the second half."

He looked into each player's eyes.

"Nottingham Forest won't give up; they'll fight back desperately. We need to be prepared."

In the box, Lin Feng slowly stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

His expression remained calm, but a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

The system interface showed that Nottingham Forest's counter-attack probability would increase to 87% in the second half.

And veterans like Wes Morgan often unleash astonishing energy at critical moments.

The real battle had just begun.