The remainder of the match fell into a lull as Manchester City's players lost their fighting spirit. Trailing by four goals with only about fifteen or sixteen minutes left, any hope of a comeback seemed impossible.
Scoring four goals in this short span to even the score? Even with divine intervention, it would be a stretch for Manchester City to achieve that.
In the stands, Luton's fans sang joyously, filling the small stadium with their cheers. It was an unforgettable night for the home team's supporters.
On the sideline, Manchester City's manager, Mark Hughes, refused to give up. He yelled instructions and gestured emphatically, hoping to ignite some fighting spirit in his players.
For Hughes, winning or even drawing this match was out of the question, but his team needed to salvage some pride by at least scoring one goal.
Losing 4-0 to a team from the Second Division without even scoring would be too humiliating for Manchester City.
Perhaps the players were thinking the same because, in the final ten minutes, they launched a desperate, all-out attack.
When teams are desperate for goals in the final stages, they often resort to long balls, rushing forward, and aerial bombardments. While these tactics aren't sophisticated, they're simple, efficient, and easy to execute in a time crunch.
Manchester City sent cross after cross into Luton's penalty area, targeting their two tall forwards, Evans and Caceido. Robinho and Bellamy tried to capitalize on the chaos created by the aerial battles.
Luton's central defenders were up to the task, particularly Geoffrey, the 18-year-old Dutchman. His stellar performance left fans in awe as he repeatedly leaped to intercept crosses, out-jumping both Caceido and Evans. His excellent timing and heading ability made him a rock in Luton's defense.
As time ticked down, Manchester City pushed Vincent Kompany forward to act as another target man. The young Belgian, despite being a defender, had the physicality and aerial ability to make an impact upfront.
In the 84th minute, Kompany finally managed to connect with a cross, sending a powerful header toward the goal. However, his aim was slightly off, and the ball grazed the post before going out for a goal kick.
Gasps filled the stadium as Luton's fans realized just how close Manchester City had come to scoring.
Encouraged by the near-miss, Kompany pumped his fist and shouted to his teammates, "Come on, guys! Let's at least get one goal!"
Despite their spirited effort, Gao Bo wasn't about to let Manchester City ruin his perfect 4-0 scoreline. Seeing the opposition's determination, he quickly made a substitution.
"Matt! Warm up!" Gao Bo shouted to the bench.
Matt Schmidt, a towering striker, was initially puzzled by the call. What role could he possibly play in the final minutes of a match like this? Was Gao Bo planning to go even more aggressive?
Without much time to think, Matt put on his training bib and began warming up.
"Luton is making a change. Matt Schmidt is preparing to come on. With a four-goal lead, is Gao Bo still pushing for more goals? What a bold coach!" commentator Letkinson remarked, sounding both puzzled and amused.
Even some of Gao Bo's assistants seemed confused by the decision. John glanced at him, wondering if there was some personal vendetta against Manchester City.
Only Lin Sen seemed to have an inkling of Gao Bo's strategy.
When Matt was ready, he approached Gao Bo, bending slightly so the coach wouldn't have to crane his neck to look up at him.
"Matt, you're going on as a center-back!" Gao Bo said firmly.
"A center-back? But I'm a striker!" Matt blurted out in surprise.
"That doesn't matter! They're relying on long balls and aerial duels now, and that's your strength. Go out there and clear every high ball in the penalty area! No one can out-jump you!" Gao Bo reassured him with a confident pat on the shoulder.
Hearing this, Matt's confidence soared. He might be a striker, but his height and heading ability made him perfect for this role.
When the substitution was made, Matt replaced Vardy, who walked off to thunderous applause from the 10,000 fans in attendance. The crowd celebrated their star forward, who had been instrumental in securing the victory.
Matt took up his position near Luton's original two center-backs, ready to bolster their defense.
"Matt Schmidt as a center-back? Gao Bo truly is a creative coach," Letkinson commented, chuckling.
As expected, Matt's presence made a significant impact. Standing at 198 centimeters tall, he dominated the aerial duels, helping Luton shut down Manchester City's attacks. Paired with the two regular center-backs, Luton's defense became impenetrable.
Despite their best efforts, Manchester City couldn't break through. The final minutes of the game were lively but ultimately fruitless for them.
When the referee blew the final whistle after three minutes of added time, the match ended with a stunning 4-0 victory for Luton.
The upset was complete. Luton, a Second Division team, had defeated the Premier League giants and advanced to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
It was a night to remember for Luton, their fans, and their passionate coach, Gao Bo.