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Gao Bo was not surprised by the victory against a fifth-tier team. What truly excited him was the glimpse of his team's potential for the future in this game!

In 2008, Gao Bo's tactical setup could be considered quite advanced. With the players he had at his disposal, he was confident that Luton Town would take English football by surprise.

The team's second warm-up match took place a week later in Brighton, a coastal city in southern England. There, Luton faced League One side Brighton & Hove Albion.

Securing a match against a League One team was not an easy feat, considering Luton was viewed as the least promising team in League Two. Meanwhile, Brighton was widely regarded as one of the strongest contenders for promotion to the Championship.

This match symbolized a clash between opposites—a team at the bottom of the ladder and a team poised for glory.

Although the match wasn't played behind closed doors, it attracted little attention from the media. The English press was more focused on Premier League stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, who had just delivered Manchester United a Champions League title and was surrounded by transfer rumors involving Real Madrid. Chelsea, on the other hand, had just welcomed World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The Brighton-Luton warm-up match didn't make headlines. Only a handful of local fans and reporters attended the game, making it an intimate affair.

Brighton had scheduled the match with the expectation of an easy win to boost their confidence before the new season. However, they underestimated Luton's strength. Luton's high press in the front disrupted Brighton's play right from the start.

Second Minute: Kante's Goal

In just the second minute, Luton took the lead. Midfield dynamo N'Golo Kanté intercepted the ball as Brighton advanced heavily into Luton's half. Kanté carried the ball forward with great composure. As Luton's forwards drew Brighton's defenders out of position, Kanté unleashed a powerful long-range strike. The ball zipped past the goalkeeper's fingertips into the net.

Gao Bo's eyes lit up on the sidelines. Although Kanté's long-range shooting stats weren't particularly high, his ability to deliver such a goal under pressure stood out. Gao Bo made a mental note to focus on enhancing Kanté's shooting skills in training.

Kanté, overjoyed, sprinted to the sidelines and jumped into Gao Bo's arms.

"Thank you, coach!" Kanté exclaimed in imperfect English, his gratitude genuine.

Gao Bo smiled, patting Kanté on the head. "This is what you deserve, boy. You've got the talent!"

"Also," Gao Bo added with a grin, "Call me 'Boss' from now on."

"Yes, Boss!" Kanté replied, his wide grin revealing bright white teeth.

Brighton fans, who had just settled into their seats, were stunned as their team fell behind. Brighton's players, shaken, tried to mount a comeback by pressing harder.

Brighton Presses, Luton Strikes Again

Brighton dominated possession, but Luton's well-drilled defense forced them into the wings, limiting their effectiveness.

The second goal came from a classic counterattack. Drinkwater, after winning the ball with Mitchell Piran on the flank, launched a precise long pass over Brighton's defense. Vardy, known for his blistering pace, outran the Brighton defenders and struck a breathtaking "elevator ball" over the goalkeeper.

The scoreline read 2-0, and Luton's bench erupted in celebration. Gao Bo, however, remained composed. He had always known Vardy's potential for such moments of brilliance.

Third Goal: Captain Keane

Before the first half ended, Kevin Keane, Luton's captain, added to the tally with a powerful shot from the right side of the box. Luton's dominance silenced the home crowd, and Brighton's attempts to respond proved fruitless.

Second Half Adjustments

In the second half, Gao Bo made minimal substitutions, replacing Charlie Austin with towering striker Matt Schmidt. Gao Bo wanted to develop chemistry among his forwards, as the trio of Vardy, Austin, and Schmidt would be pivotal for the season.

Schmidt's towering 198 cm frame proved invaluable in Luton's fourth goal. In the 60th minute, he used his height to nod a ball forward into Vardy's path. Vardy, timing his run perfectly, scored his second goal with a calm finish.

Final Score: 4-0

Luton's emphatic victory over a League One team boosted morale significantly. Gao Bo took advantage of subsequent warm-up matches to experiment with different formations and personnel, prioritizing tactical cohesion over results.

As the preseason concluded, Luton was ready. Gao Bo had one thing on his mind—victory in the official games.

The new season was just around the corner.