Walker saw Twain stand up and walk over to him. He knew it was time for him to get to work, so he took the name list from Twain's hands and walked to the middle of the players, explaining to them the lineup list and some things to take note of. For the penalty shootout finals, Tang En and the entire coaching staff were well prepared. They had carefully studied the penalty shootout videos of all the Middlesbrough players — if they had played in a match — and also studied the habits of Middlesbrough's main goalkeeper, the Australian Schwartz, to save the ball. These were all things he had told the players during their usual training. Now, he was just repeating them again to remind them to pay attention.
Twain had already walked back to the technical area to find water to drink. After shouting so much at the top of his lungs, his throat must be very tired. Speaking of which, Tony's voice was a lot hoarser than when they first worked together. It was because of his constant shouting on the sidelines, in the locker room, on the training ground, and in other situations.
When Walker explained the things to take note of to these players, he could clearly feel their excitement. They longed for the championship trophy and glory like their manager. Because they were players trained by Tony Twain.
His work went smoothly. Then, the players were called onto the field by the referee. The penalty shootout was about to begin. Walker did not feel the slightest "nervousness" from these people. On the contrary, there was only unparalleled confidence. He looked at Twain, who was still gulping down water, and said with a smile, "Tony, we can win!"
※ ※ ※
Wood, who was not good at shooting, was placed last on the list, 11th. The goalkeeper, Darren Ward, was even one place ahead of him. He had wanted to stand outside the crowd to watch the penalty shootout that seemed to have nothing to do with him, but Wes Morgan pulled him in. Then, two hands from different people clung to his shoulders — everyone had their arms around the shoulders of the teammates next to them, standing side by side. They used this method to convey trust and courage to each other, to prove that they were an unbeatable team.
In the middle of the human wall, Wood was at a loss at first. But he soon felt that it was awkward for him to keep his hands hanging down in such an environment. So, he simply learned from the others and clung to the shoulders of his teammates on his left and right. Then, he watched as the team's first penalty taker, Chris Commons, walked forward.
The Cardiff Millennium Stadium, which could hold up to 75,000 spectators, immediately fell silent. Everyone nervously stared at the square of land in front of the south stands.
Kris Commons was one of the two players who performed best in the team's penalty shootout practice. The other player was the Romani, Freddy Eastwood. So, Tang En arranged for him and Eastwood to be in front and behind, one at the beginning and the other at the end. Kris Commons took the first penalty kick and Freddy Eastwood took the fifth.
In addition to excellent penalty shooting skills, the penalty takers in these two positions also had to have the same outstanding psychological quality. If they did not start well, it would affect the performance of all their teammates. Tang En had entrusted Commons, who had only joined the team during the winter transfer window, with a heavy responsibility. This once again showed that he did not doubt the people he used.
Commons carefully placed the ball on the penalty spot and then retreated out of the penalty area. His eyes were fixed on the Middlesbrough goalkeeper, Schwartz. He was not afraid to look the goalkeeper in the eye because those tricks were useless against him now!
He never regretted coming to the Forest team, and he did not want to be a passerby of this team. He wanted to write his name on the Forest team's honor roll and become the star of the Forest team. This was the perfect stage!
"Nottingham Forest's first player to come up to take the penalty is Chris Commons. He just transferred here from Stoke City. This deal cost Tony Twain 300,000 pounds. Now it's time to let everyone see if the 300,000 pounds was worth it. "
Beep!
"A long distance … a powerful run-up! A shot! The ball's in! Chris Commons! He withstood the pressure of being the first to take the penalty and tricked Schwartz! A powerful volley from the middle! "
The Forest fans gathered in the stands erupted in loud cheers. Off the field, although Tang En did not jump in excitement like the people around him, he also clenched his fists tightly and waved.
The Forest team was off to a good start. Now the pressure was on Middlesbrough. McClaren had appointed the team's first penalty taker to be Mendieta, who was the most outstanding in the team in penalty kicks. From the looks of it, perhaps McClaren had already planned to take the penalty kick with the Forest team when he was brought on.
Mendieta was experienced. Such a penalty did not trouble him, and he easily took it. This time, it was the Middlesbrough people's turn to cheer. After the first round of penalty kicks, they tied with the Forest team at 1: 1.
Following that, the players from both teams did not make any mistakes. Cheers rang out from the south and north stands. After four rounds of penalty kicks, the score was 4: 4.
For the penalty shootout, Tang En had made ample preparations. Now, it looked like Middlesbrough was not a pushover.
The Forest team's fifth player was Freddy Eastwood. If he could not take the penalty kick, then the pressure would be transferred to the goalkeeper, Darren Ward. That would be dangerous for the Forest team. He had to take the penalty kick. That way, the pressure would be transferred to the opponent and not his teammates.
Freddy Eastwood … Three months ago, he was just an amateur player who sold used cars. Now, he's standing in front of the penalty spot at the Millennium Stadium, preparing to take the crucial penalty kick.
Martin Taylor said what was on Eastwood's mind at that moment. Three months ago, he did not know if he could play professional football again. Now, not only did he receive a professional contract from Nottingham Forest, but he was also standing on the pitch of the EFL Cup final, taking the crucial penalty kick as a key player.
He thought again of the future that Manager Tang En had promised him. Before the EFL Cup semi-final, he said that they would definitely win that game as proof that he was not lying. In the end, they did win that game and even made it all the way to the final.
It sounded like a story, but it really happened. Since that game, Eastwood no longer doubted the manager's words. He seemed to have a mysterious power that could really see the future.
He said, "We can win! We can definitely win! "
Then … we can really win. We can definitely win!
Tang En did not know what Eastwood was thinking. He stared at the Romani Gypsy's back, his fists clenched tightly. His body was even trembling uncontrollably. This was a crucial moment. His heart was beating faster and faster … Damn it! Why hasn't the referee blown the whistle yet?!
Just as Tang En was grumbling, the referee finally blew the whistle to allow the penalty kick. Standing in front of the ball, Eastwood ran up in two steps and then swung his leg to shoot!
Schwartz had judged the direction correctly, but the ball that Eastwood shot out was more tricky than he had imagined! The football stuck to the turf, brushed past the goalpost, and rolled into the net!
"Beautiful! A dead angle! Freddy Eastwood! He scored a crucial goal! " Andy Gray shouted. The Forest fans at the Millennium Stadium were even louder than him. This was a goal that could release the emotions in one's heart. Eastwood was also well aware of this. After the goal, he leaned back on the spot, raised his head to the sky and roared. This caused the Forest fans in the stands to follow suit. Everyone roared at the sky at the same time. That aura … was enough to make any opponent tremble in fear!
Unlike the excited players and fans, Tang En was very, very nervous before the goal. But when Eastwood really kicked the football in, he still only swung his fists forcefully and did not make any more exaggerated movements. Because he knew that Middlesbrough still had one more player. The match was not over yet. If the other team also scored, they would continue with the penalty shootout. However, the rules had changed to one goal to determine the winner. This was even crueler, and the psychological pressure on the players on both sides was greater.
What was advantageous to him now was that Eastwood withstood the pressure of the fifth player who took the penalty kick and kicked the ball into the opponent's goal. Now, the greatest pressure was on Middlesbrough's last player — Massimo Makaroni.
The Italians … They had never been good at penalty kicks.
The Forest fans made loud noises, hoping to create more pressure on Makaroni. But would they be able to do so?
This was a crucial moment … This was the moment that would truly decide his fate, even though the key to this decision was not in Tang En's hands. So … this was the moment he was the most nervous. He felt as though time had stopped. All sound had disappeared, and only his heartbeat. Only the sound of his heartbeat reminded him that he was still alive and not in some void. And the sound of his heartbeat was getting faster and faster, almost connecting into one, making it impossible for him to withstand the huge pressure coming from the left side of his chest.
He could not even complain that the other team was slow to kick, because he was afraid that once he opened his mouth, it would explode from the pressure!
Is this going to be my first championship? Will this be the starting point of a road full of glory and trophies? This … will this be my own fate?
Suddenly, a crisp whistle rang out. In his ears, it was like the sound of nature. Then he saw Makaroni, after a quick sprint, shoot the football with a powerful volley, blasting the football into the sky!! Over the crossbar!! Straight! Up!!!!
The stadium, which had seemed very quiet just now, was like a barrel of gunpowder that had been detonated. Huge cheers erupted in an instant, overwhelming Twain.
"Boom!"
"Makaroni has sent the penalty kick flying! The Nottingham Forest team from League One has won the championship! They are the champions of the EFL Cup in the 03-04 season!! Fourteen years later, this Red Forest team has returned to our sights in the way they used to be best at! Welcome back, Nottingham Forest! Congratulations, EFL Cup champions!! "
(To be continued, if you want to know what happened after, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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