A-Leagues great makes history amid extraordinary season abroad

Kevin Muscat’s high-flying Shanghai Port broke a record in the Chinese Super League (CSL) thanks to yet another win over the weekend.

Shanghai Port’s 8-1 demolition of Nantong Zhiyun extended the club’s winning streak in the CSL to 14 matches – eclipsing the previous record.

The relentless performance also saw the unbeaten Chinese champions – who are yet to lose after 21 rounds (W18 D3) – make it 16 consecutive wins across all competitions – a club-record-extending feat.

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Shanghai Port have barely put a foot wrong since Muscat’s arrival from J1 League outfit Yokohama F.Marinos at the start of 2024.

Boasting former Chelsea star Oscar, Shanghai Port came into the season as the defending champions but A-Leagues legend Muscat has transformed the team with his high-octane and attacking style of football in Shanghai.

Surrounded by fellow Aussies Ross Aloisi – the former Brisbane Roar head coach and Adelaide United great, Vincenzo Ierardo (ex-Western United assistant) and Greg King (head of high performance), Muscat’s Shanghai Port are five points clear atop the summit, with city rivals Shanghai Shenhua due to play on Monday.

They top the table having scored a whopping 72 goals in just 21 games, while they have conceded only 18 goals with a goal difference of +54.

A two-time Championship winner with Melbourne Victory, having also won a Premiership and Australia Cup, Muscat – who guided F.Marinos to J1 League glory after succeeding Ange Postecoglou – has won back-to-back CSL Coach of the Month honours for May and June.

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