Definition: In this task, you will be presented with a passage and have to answer a question based on your understanding of the events inferred from the passage. Try to find the best answer that is most likely to fill in "_". Note that the URLs in the text have been replaced with [Link].
Input: Stoke boss Mark Hughes believes the quality Ibrahim Afellay demonstrated in the Capital One Cup quarter-final victory over Sheffield Wednesday should have come as no surprise to anyone. Afellay has been struggling to live up to the excitement that had been generated among Potters fans by his signing over the summer. The 29-year-old Holland international and ex-Barcelona player was sent off in only his fourth game for Stoke and failed to regain a starting place in the Barclays Premier League thereafter. But having been handed a start against Wednesday in the cup tie at the Britannia Stadium, he registered his first Stoke goal in fine style with a delightfully-executed volley on the half-hour mark.Stoke beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in the Capital One CupIbrahim Afellay and Phil Bardsley scored the goals for the PottersMark Hughes was impressed with Afellay's performance on Tuesday night 
 Question:_ was particularly pleased a semi-final spot - the club's first in the League Cup since they won the trophy in 1972 - could be sealed despite him making a significant number of changes.

Mark Hughes