213: The touchstone of "iron and blood"

Vardy was the first to stand up, a dangerous glint in the English forward's eyes.

“Football art? We’ll show them what Northern Storm is,” he said.

De Bruyne gently caressed the football, the Belgian boy's expression exceptionally focused. Coutinho clenched his fists, the passion of samba flowing through the Brazilian's veins.

Henderson, as captain, stood in the center of the team, the young midfielder feeling the trust and support of his teammates. A+ level potential surged within him, a feeling that boosted his confidence.

“Gentlemen,” Henderson’s voice echoed in the locker room, “they say the FA Cup belongs to big clubs, so let’s prove to them that a small town can also breed dragons.”

Thunderous applause erupted, every player infected by the atmosphere. They came from different places, with different backgrounds, but now they shared a common goal—to prove the strength of Hartlepool United to the world.

On the training ground, the players sweated profusely. Every pass aimed for perfection, every shot was taken with full effort. Ancelotti’s words ignited the fighting spirit deep within them.

Lin Feng stood at the edge of the training ground, his gaze sweeping over every player. The system interface appeared in his mind, and a detailed tactical analysis of Chelsea was clearly visible.

Ancelotti liked to use flexible formation changes; Drogba’s pivot role and Lampard’s late runs were their trump cards. But Lin Feng had already found a way to counter them.

Sophie walked to his side, and the two watched the training together. The diamond ring sparkled in the sunset, witnessing this beautiful moment.

“Do you have confidence?” Sophie’s voice was as soft as a spring breeze.

Lin Feng didn't answer, only gently squeezed her hand. His eyes were as calm as a lake, but beneath the surface, there was a steel-like determination.

As night fell, the streets of Hartlepool returned to calm. But in the heart of every fan, a flame of anticipation burned. They knew an epic showdown was about to unfold.

In the club office, Lin Feng sat alone in the dark. The city lights outside the window flickered, reflecting in his deep eyes.

The dream of a “treble” had never been so close. The EFL Championship title was within reach, and the League Cup trophy was already in hand. Now, only the FA Cup remained as the final piece of the puzzle.

Chelsea would be the biggest obstacle on the path to his dream. But Lin Feng never feared challenges; difficulties only made victory sweeter.

He picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip. The bitter taste spread across his tongue, but the lingering sweetness was unforgettable.

Just like football, pain and joy always go hand in hand. But precisely because of this, victory is so precious.

The March rain fell diagonally, and the Victoria Park pitch glistened green in the drizzle. The golden glow of the League Cup had not yet faded, and Hartlepool United was already facing a new challenge.

In the locker room, Vardy was tying his shoelaces. The English forward’s movements were clean and precise, every detail reflecting the rigor of a professional player. De Bruyne sat in the corner, quietly closing his eyes in meditation, the Belgian boy's breathing even and deep.

“Today we will prove that our championship was no accident,” Henderson’s voice echoed in the locker room, the young captain’s words concise and powerful. A+ level potential surged within him, making his every word convincing.

Southampton players were already waiting in the player tunnel. This team was facing a financial crisis, but their fighting spirit remained tenacious. Their manager had made bold claims in the pre-match press conference, vowing to cause an upset at Hartlepool’s home ground.

The whistle for the start of the match sounded, and the rain became heavier.

Southampton struck first, scoring with a header from their center-back from a corner kick. Victoria Park fell into a brief silence, but it was quickly reignited by the fans' songs.

“This is the test of a champion,” Lin Feng said, gently caressing Sophie’s hand in the box, the diamond ring sparkling with a warm glow in the light. His eyes were as calm as water, but beneath the surface, there was a steel-like determination.

In the 35th minute, De Bruyne received the ball near the center circle. The Belgian boy's eyes scanned the entire field, searching for the best passing lane. He deftly dribbled past a player and then delivered a precise long pass.

Vardy instinctively made a run, the English forward's speed appearing even more elusive in the rain. He chested the ball down, then turned and shot, and the ball found the back of the net.

1-1, the score was level!

Victoria Park instantly erupted, rain mixing with the sweat and tears of the fans. This was the resilience of a champion, never giving up easily.

In the second half, Hartlepool United completely controlled the pace of the game. Coutinho’s dribbling remained sharp on the wet pitch, and every touch by the Brazilian boy elicited gasps from the stands.

In the 78th minute, the decisive moment arrived.

De Bruyne received a pass on the right flank. The Belgian boy chose not to cross, but instead cut inside to the edge of the box. He gently caressed the ball with his left foot, aiming for the far corner of the goal.

The ball traced a perfect arc, and the goalkeeper failed to make the save. 2-1, Hartlepool United came from behind to win!

The rain continued to fall, but Victoria Park had become a sea of joy. The players embraced each other tightly, savoring the sweetness of victory.

This victory demonstrated the temperament of a champion, able to find a way to break through even when facing difficulties.

The next few League matches were even easier. Away against Preston, Henderson’s long-range shot and Vardy’s one-on-one goal secured a 2-1 victory for the team. At home against Coventry City, De Bruyne scored a hat-trick, and the 4-0 thrashing silenced all doubts.

The away match against Leicester City was equally exciting. Coutinho’s individual performance was breathtaking; the Brazilian boy dribbled past three players before unleashing a powerful shot to seal a 3-1 victory for the team.

The EFL Championship title was no longer in suspense; everyone’s attention turned to the FA Cup quarter-final on March 15th.

The opponent was Chelsea.

Ancelotti’s Blues boasted world-class stars like Drogba, Lampard, Terry, and Čech. This would be the toughest test Hartlepool United had ever faced.

On the morning of the match day, thousands of fans had already gathered outside Victoria Park. They held up banners that read, “This is Hartlepool, not a shopping center.”

The atmosphere in the locker room was exceptionally tense.

Chelsea’s roster was daunting. Drogba’s physical presence, Lampard’s long-range shots, Terry’s defending, Čech’s saves—every aspect represented world-class standards.

“They are strong, but we are hungrier,” Vardy’s words were simple and direct, a dangerous glint in the English forward’s eyes. Hunger was this team’s greatest weapon; every player yearned to prove himself.

In the player tunnel, players from both teams brushed past each other.

Drogba’s physique was tall and powerful, the Ivorian forward’s every step filled with strength. Lampard’s gaze was focused and calm, the English midfielder had been preparing for this match for a long time.

Terry walked at the front as captain, the Chelsea captain’s expression serious, he knew the importance of this match.