"Goal scored!! Morrison helped Coventry equalize!! The score is now 1-1. This is a critical moment for both teams!!" Letkinson exclaimed from the commentary booth. Despite the goal, he wasn't overly excited.
However, the Coventry fans in the stands were ecstatic, celebrating wildly.
Morrison was swarmed by his excited teammates as they celebrated. The goal had clearly boosted their confidence and morale!
On the sidelines, Coleman raised his arms in celebration, believing his tactical adjustments had paid off.
Gao Bo, on the other hand, didn't think Coventry's attack was particularly threatening.
"What the hell, that was pure luck…" Gao Bo muttered angrily.
"Charlie!! Adam!!" Gao Bo shouted toward the bench.
"Luton is making a substitution!! Charlie Austin and Adam White are warming up!! Gao Bo is preparing to ramp up the offense!!" Letkinson's excitement returned, signaling that the second half would be much more intense than the first.
Gao Bo could've continued with a defensive counterattack approach, but with Coventry's morale surging, he didn't want to let them build momentum.
So, he decided to douse their enthusiasm by going on the attack.
…
Coventry's players were fired up after the equalizer and pressed hard, attacking down the flanks and swinging in crosses.
But Luton's defense held strong. Jeffrey's excellent heading ability meant Coventry's two strikers couldn't get much out of it.
Soon, Adam and Charlie finished warming up. Gao Bo put his arms around them and gave instructions.
"Charlie!! Stay in the box and be ready for a cross from the left!" Then he turned to Adam: "Push up the left side and create chances to cross. Got it?"
Both players nodded earnestly.
Before sending them in, Gao Bo also activated his cards in the system:
Game Card (Green): +15% dribbling skill — Applied to Adam White
Game Card (Yellow): +7% speed — Applied to Adam White
Match Card (Yellow): +8% shooting — Applied to Charlie Austin
The substitution was completed.
"Luton is making a double substitution!! Adam White is coming on for Lewis Emmanuel and Charlie Austin replaces Hassan Ali! Adam is already a well-known young talent, and Charlie Austin has recently been linked with big Premier League clubs, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, even Manchester United! That's because he's been on fire lately, scoring 12 goals in just four League matches. He's caught up with his teammate Vardy, and the two are now tied at the top of the scoring charts!" Wright Kinsen said passionately.
"Two players from the same team leading the Golden Boot race, that tells you just how dominant Luton has been! Even if they don't win the title, promotion looks guaranteed!"
As Lewis and Hassan came off, Gao Bo patted them on the shoulders.
"You guys did great. Don't worry, go get a shower and come back to watch the rest. We're going to win this."
As they left for the locker room, Gao Bo looked across at Coleman.
Coleman was clearly pleased, smiling broadly. His gray beard seemed to be dancing with joy.
Gao Bo couldn't stand him, especially that smug look.
Thankfully, Adam and Charlie's performance gave him something to feel good about.
Adam got on the ball soon after coming on. He skillfully beat Henderson on the left and carried the ball forward. Reaching the left side of the box, he cut to his right foot and delivered a cross!
"Charlie Austin!!" Letkinson suddenly shouted.
Adam's cross went deep into the box, and Charlie Austin timed his run perfectly to meet it with a strike!!
Boom,
Gasps rang out in the stadium!
The ball struck the crossbar and bounced back. Vardy went for the rebound, but a Coventry defender cleared it to the sideline.
"Ahhhhh, Luton's adjustment worked immediately!! A very dangerous attack, but Charlie Austin's shot was cruelly denied by the crossbar!!"
Gao Bo looked devastated. Hands behind his head, he couldn't believe it.
"Charlie, man... just a bit unlucky there."
"Charlie's been scoring a lot recently, and he's looking sharp this game too," John commented, not as disappointed as Gao Bo.
As a former Manchester United player, John understood the rhythm of the game better than Gao Bo, who had never played professionally. Players often move on instinct, and in split-second moments, just getting to the right spot is an achievement. Scoring often comes down to luck. When luck's not with you, you can't blame the player too much.
Charlie's shot might've missed, but it marked the beginning of Luton's offensive onslaught.
The left flank became the center of Luton's attack.
In the 68th minute, Vardy moved to the left to link up with Adam. Positioned near the top left corner of the penalty box, Vardy received the ball from Adam, who then darted into the area. Vardy looked like he was going to shoot, tricking the defenders into diving in. But it was a fake, he instead slipped a clever pass into the box.
Adam White broke in, but the angle was tight, so instead of shooting, he pulled the ball back with a cutback pass!
Vardy!!
Vardy had anticipated it. As Adam drew defenders, Vardy had already moved into the box. He was ready, not for a shot himself, but for Adam's pass.
With his left foot, Vardy guided the ball goalward!
The Coventry keeper made a brilliant save, diving low and smothering the shot.
Luton's constant pressure was now testing Coventry's defense.
Coleman was shouting from the sidelines, waving his arms, urging his players to get back and hold the line. Coventry's players had hoped to ride the momentum of their goal and press forward, but Luton's surge had snuffed out their momentum.
Since the substitutions, Luton had launched a ferocious attack!
Coventry's defense held firm under pressure. Though overwhelmed, they held their line, a testament to the structure Coleman had built. Luton's waves of offense were powerful, but Coventry defended with grit and resilience.