Fifteen minutes passed quickly. When the players from both sides reappeared on the court, fans from both sides gave the players the warmest cheers.
What's more attractive than a championship trophy?
The Red Devils fans are looking forward to winning the second League Cup in team history after 45 minutes. The Saints also hope that the players can create miracles and create history for the team.
Bell's late goal in the first half ignited the Saints' desire for the championship trophy.
Perhaps for militants like Ronaldinho, a competitor with a desire to win is far more desirable than an opponent who has lost his fighting spirit.
As long as both sides are full of yearning for victory in a certain game, then the meaning of victory in this game has transcended the event itself.
Whether it is the League Cup or the Champions League, for an athlete, what could be more passionate than conquering an opponent who has the same fighting spirit as him?
After the start of the second half, the two sides continued the situation at the end of the first half and launched a fierce attack.
Keegan also looked away.
The score is already behind anyway, and Bell's goal fully proves that even a team as strong as Manchester United can take a nap sometimes.
If this is the case, then why don't we continue our efforts, take advantage of the situation, equalize the score in one fell swoop, or even achieve a lead?
Manchester United winning is the norm in public opinion before the game.
Even though there were some drunk lunatics who thought Southampton would go dark, they were very honest and still placed their bet on Manchester United winning.
As for Southampton winning, let this be a good hope of mine!
During the halftime break, the betting company revised the odds based on Bell's last-minute goal and the performance of both players in the first half.
Southampton's odds of winning have been increased by 0.3. At the same time, there are many handicap openings.
The liberalization of these handicaps has attracted many fans who pay attention to the market here.
Three goals were scored in the first half. According to the intensity of the competition between the two sides, didn't there have to be goals in the second half?
For a time, many speculators were betting wildly. As long as there was another goal from both sides, it would be a big goal.
What they are pressing for is that Southampton will never compromise with Manchester United!
After returning to the court, the responsibilities on Wang Xiaodong's shoulders became much heavier again.
He not only has to shoulder the heavy responsibility of defense, but also passes key long passes at critical moments. This is a huge test for Wang Xiaodong personally.
And he himself is also absorbing nutrients and fully growing from such fierce competition!
In the 47th minute, Manchester United took a left corner kick.
The ball drew an arc in the air and flew into the penalty area. Ronaldinho, who was standing at the back, jumped up high and with a header, the ball missed the crossbar.
One minute later, Wang Xiaodong suddenly shot a cold arrow 35 meters away from the goal. The ball was firmly held by Edwin van der Sar, who was in an excellent position.
In the 51st minute, Manchester United adjusted their rhythm and pressed forward again.
Ferdinand sent a wonderful long pass, and Ossie used his height advantage to header the ball at the front of the Southampton penalty area, and performed a one-two with Ronaldinho on the wing.
Just when Xiao Luo started sprinting, Wang Xiaodong rushed over.
A shoulder push knocked Ronaldinho out of bounds.
Maybe the collision was too much, or maybe the referee thought Wang Xiaodong's ball was obviously aimed at someone.
So when Xiao Luo was knocked to the ground, he immediately blew the whistle in his mouth.
The patter of rain finally turned into light rain, but it still did not affect the players' performance.
Wang Xiaodong wiped the water on his face, but he couldn't tell whether it was sweat or rain.
The stands on this side were just full of Saints. They saw Ronaldinho rolling on the turf, stretching his neck and shouting provocatively.
"Hey Cristiano, don't get up if you can't!"
"You are just a scumbag! In front of our Dong, you are nothing!"
"Hahahaha! Embarrassing guy. Is your body made of paper? Why did you fall down with the slightest touch?"
"Stop pretending, diving champion, this is a football field, not your swimming pool!"
Dirty and vulgar words poured into Xiao Luo's ears with the wind and rain. He got up, wiped his messy yellow hair with his hand, and returned to the field.
After the referee whistle blew, Ronaldinho's direct free kick circled the wall and continued to fall. It landed in the upper left corner of the small penalty area and spun rapidly out of the baseline.
"Shh~~"
"Shh~~~"
"Shhh!!!"
There were boos again in the stands.
"Cristiano, you should pass this ball." Giggs came over and said.
The penalty kick was taken very close to the sideline, so it would be inappropriate to shoot directly from this place.
But Ronaldinho still chose to hit the goal. As the big brother, Giggs of course had to step forward and give instructions.
Faced with the "pointing" or "accusation" of his seniors, Xiao Luo remained silent.
No one knows what he thinks. Perhaps only goals and wins can prove his choice.
Although Manchester United leads 2-1, it can be seen from the performance of the Red Devils in the second half that Sir Alex believes that a goal is not safe.
"Come on, come on!"
"Wang Xiaodong, if you win this game, I will clear your name when I get back!"
In the stands, Huang Jianxiang also wiped the rain off the lens and waved his fist at the screen.
Wang Xiaodong's performance today has completely subverted his understanding of Chinese players.
Good guy!
It turns out that Chinese players can be so tough and tough!
Listening carefully to the shouts from the stands, the shouts of "DONG" hit Huang Jianxiang's heart like drumsticks.
In an instant, Huang Jianxiang remembered the "replacement for Li Tie" in the 1997 Golden State game.
If today's Wang Xiaodong appeared in Li Tie's position, would those fans who don't understand football still shout such unreasonable slogans?
A truly capable player will not only play the role assigned to him by the head coach, but will also give thumbs up to fans who don't understand football.
Bang!
A big kick.
Wang Xiaodong's long pass accurately found Bell on the left.
Manchester United was prepared this time. Gary Neville and Bell collided in the air, but the ball was still obtained by the Southampton player who rushed over to respond.
"Come on, Southampton, come on, Southampton!!!"
Influenced by the fans around him, Huang Jianxiang couldn't help but shout loudly.
This is the case on the football field. No matter you are a high-ranking official or a businessman, a commoner or a noble, when you are truly immersed in the game, you will always cheer loudly for your favorite team or player.
In the British Championship, Bell is just a young player with a small reputation. But after this battle, his name has resounded throughout the Premier League.
Not everyone can break through Van der Sar's goal with a header under Manchester United's intensive defense.
The Dutch goalkeeper has a clean sheet record of over 60% this season, which is enough to scare all opponents.
After Belmadi got the ball, he moved the ball toward the center, but the slippery field made his feet empty, and the kick was a little awkward.
The ball rolled unhurriedly towards the center and was caught by Ferdinand who rushed forward in time.
The Manchester United backcourt general made a direct pass to the wing, and the ball came to Park Ji-sung's feet instantly.
The South Korean player got the ball and ran away. He knew that his teammates passed him this type of ball just for a quick counterattack.
Meticulously executing the coach's tactics, he quickly ran with the ball, but stopped before taking a few steps.
A lightly panting beast stopped in front of him. Looking at Wang Xiaodong's sharp eyes, Park Ji-sung felt that there was a huge beast standing in front of him.
Never force a breakout!
Never force a break!
The genes written in his bones told him that if he tried to use his body and speed to force a breakthrough at this time, unexpected consequences would definitely occur.
Park Ji-sung stopped the ball and moved it forward inch by inch.
He looked for opportunities and got closer and closer to the answer.
Huang Jianxiang zoomed in as close as possible, and the two people almost occupied the entire screen.
As Park Ji-sung moved forward little by little, Wang Xiaodong, who was leaning sideways, was also slowly retreating.
It seemed that a delicate balance was formed between the two, but two seconds later, Park Ji-sung pushed with his left foot and pushed the ball back to the midfielder.
Ferdinand, who ran forward with his teammates, didn't say much when faced with the back pass from his teammates. He had the same experience on the court and clearly understood what Park Ji-sung encountered in those three to five seconds.
Although the two only had brief eye contact, Park Ji-sung felt as if he had run five thousand meters and was exhausted.
It wasn't until the ball was passed safely that the feeling of pressure that covered his body completely faded away.
What a dangerous person!
Looking at Wang Xiaodong's retreating back, Park Ji-sung broke into a cold sweat.
The fans in the stands didn't know why. They only saw Park Ji-sung fiddle with the ball a few times, then completely gave up the counterattack opportunity and passed the ball to his own center back for another attack.
This is understandable for a team. Regardless, Park Ji-sung protected the ball.
But the fans saw it and thought it was Park Sam-fei's "incompetence".
"Hey, Bangzi, what are you doing?"
"Such a good counterattack opportunity was wasted by your hesitation!"
"If you can't break through, give your position to other players!"
"Manchester United doesn't need to be a coward!"
The Red Devils fans angrily cursed Park Ji-sung, and the Saints also praised Wang Xiaodong.
Being able to guard the Manchester United full-back with just his eyes is not something ordinary people can do!
After Ferdinand received the ball in the middle, he immediately distributed the ball to the other side without Wang Xiaodong.
After Ronaldinho caught the ball, he took a few big steps forward with the ball while holding Belmadi with his body.
Seeing the three Southampton defenders forming a triangle and waiting for him in front, Ronaldinho's eyes lit up and he did not choose to pass the ball straight to Saha in the crowd. Instead, he sent it towards the apex of the triangle. A curveball hit the ground.
Fernandez, who was standing at the top, stretched out his foot, and the ball rolled past the outside of his toes and went straight to the space behind him.
Powell and Darren Porter looked shocked. Ronaldinho's through ball just passed through the middle of their positions.
Powell, who was closer to the wing, hurriedly turned back to chase the ball, but at this moment another figure was faster!
A short figure wearing a No. 8 uniform rushed diagonally into the penalty area. Facing Lu Xiaopang, who was catching up with the ball, Powell could only use his gaze.
"Rooney's chance..." The commentator breathed heavily.
Everyone is waiting for Rooney to deal with the ball after catching up with it.
What is surprising is that, facing the ball with decreasing kinetic energy, Lu Xiaopang directly stretched out his right foot and quickly launched a half-high ball with a slight arc.
Goalkeeper Nimi almost split his legs, but still couldn't stop the ball passing over his calf.
The ball hit the net amid the cheers of Manchester United fans. No one expected that Manchester United's goal would come so easily and suddenly.
Looking at the goal that plunged into the side net, Huang Jianxiang put down the camera and shook his head with dull eyes: "Oh, the game is over..."
