As the match continued, Cao Baming found himself with more opportunities to test it. He felt a mysterious power suffuse the space around the ball whenever it approached his feet.
This sensation was akin to the ball possessing a form of word, and his boots acted like magnets attracting magnetic objects.
This feeling was simply exhilarating!
With this newfound ability, dribbling, controlling, and passing all became significantly more fluid than before. While the true power of this talent might not be fully apparent in passing alone, controlling and dribbling the ball were sufficient to unleash its full potential!
From this moment on, whenever the ball came to Cao Baming's feet, he no longer opted for a pass.
He drove forward with the ball, and no Chelsea player, whether a multi-million dollar superstar or an ordinary squad member, could stop him. Even if Kante were on the pitch, he would be powerless.
Gradually, Nottingham Forest found their hope rekindled. Their first goal had precisely confirmed their newfound belief: what if their possession was low? Wasn't high offensive efficiency enough? As long as every attack converted into a goal, their opponents still couldn't defeat them.
Unbeknownst to them, Nottingham Forest had surprisingly taken the lead. This was something they could never have imagined in past matches, especially against Chelsea, a team boasting Drogba. Even Drogba himself was neutralized throughout the game, managing only one shot which their goalkeeper successfully cleared.
Too weak, too weak. Was this all Chelsea had?
As the first half continued to tick by, it reached the fortieth minute, with only a sliver of time left before the break. The closer the end of the half approached, the more excited Cooper, on the sidelines, became.
To have defeated Chelsea in the first half was a momentous occasion!
Setting aside the grand promises made when Cao Baming was first signed, even the most far-fetched aspirations had to be pursued step by step. Now, this first tangible result was before them.
The match was not yet over, but to have matched the once-dominant Chelsea in the first half was no small feat!
Such an outcome was already a great comfort to the fans. If they could maintain this lead until the final whistle, it would truly be a gift to everyone.
If that happened, this match would undoubtedly be etched into the annals of the Nottingham Forest club. Today would be a crucial day, a definitive turning point for the entire team.
As the regulation time of the first half drew to a close, something entirely unexpected occurred – a minor dramatic twist.
During the final defensive stand within the penalty area, a Chelsea player committed a fatal error. Though described as an error, it was, in essence, something they had anticipated.
A foul in the penalty area was no ordinary foul; it directly resulted in a penalty kick! All eyes in the stadium turned to the referee on the pitch, as did those of all the Chelsea players.
A penalty! The referee made his decision decisively, without hesitation!
The foul was committed by Azpilicueta, and his target was the most vital player for Nottingham Forest, Cao Baming.
Despite this, Azpilicueta stumbled and fell, yet Cao Baming remained unfazed. Not only did he successfully pass the ball, but he also allowed his teammate to register a shot on goal.
Had it not been for the goalkeeper's timely save, the ball would have gone in, and there would have been no penalty.
This penalty injected renewed suspense into a match that was nearing its end. It was important to remember that Nottingham Forest was already leading 1-0, and now they had an opportunity from the penalty spot, a chance to extend their lead to two goals before halftime!
At this moment, the senior management of Nottingham Forest were practically on the verge of leaping for joy.
There was no question that Cao Baming was the architect of this penalty opportunity. Even if he wasn't the one to take the spot-kick, he would undoubtedly be the first choice.
As everyone had predicted, Cao Baming soon stood alone near the penalty spot in the box, placing the ball at his feet.
What followed was the true test. Cao Baming had harbored a daring idea long before this.
This idea was so audacious that even Cao Baming himself felt a touch of madness.
If his feet truly possessed that magnetic sensory perception, then during a penalty, he could execute a feint and send the ball in a different direction.
Such a maneuver would appear almost supernatural to outsiders, and to attempt it in such a crucial match required immense courage!
The very moment he considered this idea, a penalty was awarded, an unexpected one at that. Was this not an opportunity sent from the heavens?
Cao Baming thought to himself that if he didn't seize this chance now, he would be making a grave mistake!
Now was the time! He had to try it right now!
Everyone in the vicinity was ready. Cao Baming merely awaited the referee's whistle. As soon as it blew, he could initiate his shot.
The goalkeeper, positioned on his goal line, repeatedly darted from side to side, his arms outstretched as if to encompass the entire goal within his protective reach.
This action was intended to create a psychological effect. To the penalty taker, the goalkeeper appeared taller than the goalposts, and his body seemed considerably larger than normal. This was a psychological manifestation stemming from the fear of the impending penalty.
In reality, in Cao Baming's eyes, the goalkeeper at this moment was no more threatening than a flea. His gaze was fixed solely on the goal.
Whether the ball slid into the corner of the net, snuck in along the bottom, or passed through the goalkeeper's body, there was no way he could prevent the goal!
The next moment, the referee's whistle blew. Cao Baming stepped forward to his left and executed a clean, decisive shot. At this moment, the goalkeeper felt a surge of anticipation; Cao Baming had used a glaringly obvious and predictable movement.
It was evident he was aiming for the left side, and Cao Baming's foot had already made slight contact with the ball!
Without a second thought, the goalkeeper threw himself, diving towards the top-left corner of the goal.