21: The game begins

The second round of the League Cup, a competition long forgotten in the schedule for Premier League giants, ignited an early weekend carnival for the small town of Hartlepool.

The air at Victoria Park was almost solidified by the breathing and shouts of thirty thousand people; the lights pierced through the rising humidity from the turf, mixed with the distinct smell of Grilled meat patties and cheap beer, forming the most authentic atmosphere of England's lower League.

Lin Feng sat behind the one-way glass of the VIP box, calmly observing it all.

His opponent was Leicester City, recently relegated from the Premier League—a camel that, though starved, was still bigger than a horse.

A week prior, on Lin Feng's office tactics board, the cold data stream from the [Future Tactics and Simulation] module had already replayed this match countless times. The opponent's weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed: insufficient midfield hardness, the central playmaker's habitual forward push, and the vast empty spaces left behind when both full-backs advanced, wide enough for Vardy to run a round trip.

"Abandon the midfield grind," Lin Feng had instructed Old John at the time, "Turn the midfield into a trap we've set for Leicester City. Let them attack, let them spread their formation. Then, with the fastest speed, plunge the knife into the gaps in their ribs."

Now, Old John stood ramrod straight in front of the dugout, the sweat-soaked notebook in his pocket seemingly burning. It contained Lin Feng's hastily scribbled tactical instructions, precise analyses of Leicester City players' habits, and minute-by-minute timings for tactical changes. Old John felt he wasn't just managing a football match; he was executing a meticulously planned operation with a predetermined outcome, and he was the chosen wielder of the sword.

In the shadows of the player tunnel, Vardy's eyes were wild as he tore at a hangnail on his finger. Beside him were several other young faces, each with a different expression.

Kasper Schmeichel was vigorously rotating his wrist, his joints giving off faint cracks, and in his eyes, so similar to his father's, burned the desire to prove himself. Danny Simpson stared expressionlessly at his studs; this Manchester United academy outcast hid all his emotions beneath that silence. Robert Snodgrass, however, seemed somewhat agitated, constantly jumping in place and flexing his ankles. This Scottish winger was eager to run wild on this new pitch.

And the Icelandic teenager, Gylfi Sigurðsson, sat quietly in the corner of the substitutes' bench, his gaze calm yet silently observing every inch of the pitch, every billboard, as if constructing a three-dimensional battlefield map in his mind.

This was Lin Feng's "Prodigy Legion" first echelon, a sharp sword about to pierce English football.

In the press box, journalists' whispers were filled with doubts about Hartlepool United's bold starting lineup. Sophie Green did not join the discussion; she simply gripped her pen tightly, her sharp gaze sweeping across the pitch. Her journalistic instinct told her that the protagonist of tonight's story was definitely not Leicester City.

"Welcome back to Victoria Park for the League Cup second round, where Hartlepool United hosts Leicester City! Let's look at the starting lineups!" Martin Tyler's voice echoed through every corner of the stadium via the broadcast.

Andy Gray's voice carried clear surprise: "For the home team, Hartlepool United, manager John McDonald has deployed a highly aggressive 4-3-3 formation today! This is very daring!"

"In goal, we see a new face, number 13 Kasper Schmeichel, Peter Schmeichel's son, making his debut today!"

"In defense, also a new signing, number 15 Danny Simpson starts at right-back, forming a brand new backline with captain number 5 Michael Nelson, number 4 Ben Clark, and number 3 Matty Robson."

"The midfield sees number 8 Mark Tinkler orchestrating in the center, supported by number 6 Gary Liddle and number 7 Anthony Sweeney."

"Up front, number 9 Jamie Vardy continues to lead the line, flanked by number 11 Adam Boyd and another new signing, the Scottish number 14 Robert Snodgrass! This starting lineup remarkably features three new signings, all so young—Mr. McDonald's courage is truly admirable!"

Martin Tyler took over: "For the away team, Leicester City, they've set up in a classic 4-4-2 formation today. Goalkeeper is number 1 Paul Henderson; the defense consists of number 2 Stephen Clemence, number 5 Paddy McCarthy, number 3 Gareth Savage; the midfield from right to left is number 7 Matthew Oakley, number 4 Matt Oakley, number 8 Danny Tuff, number 11 Mark Yates; partnering up front are number 9 Gary Taylor-Fletcher and number 10 Iain Hume. This is a lineup that clearly has the advantage in experience and strength."

The referee held the whistle to his lips and checked his watch.

The entire stadium instantly fell silent, with only the players' hurried breaths and pounding heartbeats remaining.

A sharp whistle pierced the Hartlepool night sky.

The match officially began.