Serial winner Muscat focused on titles as Shanghai Port aim to overturn deficit
YOKOHAMA, Japan, March 10 (Reuters) - Shanghai Port head coach Kevin Muscat says he remains driven by the desire to win titles as he attempts to lead the Chinese Super League champions into the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite.
Muscat's side trail 1-0 to his former club, Japan's Yokohama F Marinos, ahead of the second leg of their last 16 encounter at International Stadium on Tuesday, and the Australian is determined to continue adding trophies to his glittering resume.
"In 30-odd years of being a professional I have learnt that there's only one thing that matters," Muscat told reporters.
"There's only one thing that I put all my energy into at this moment in time, and that's giving the players everything they possibly need to perform well enough to win a game of football.
"It's in my genes, it's in my DNA to want to win titles. That's something that cannot be decided tomorrow night but, in the long term, performances are what wins titles and what wins trophies.
"All the focus goes into performance. It's great to be back to see so many familiar faces, even in this room, but all my energy will be placed on performing well enough to win tomorrow night."
Muscat has already won league titles in three different leagues, leading Melbourne Victory to the A-League championship in 2015 and 2018 before winning the J-League title with Marinos in 2022 and the Japanese Super Cup the following year.
He then completed the Chinese Super League and FA Cup double last year in his first season with Shanghai Port.
Continental success, however, has eluded him with none of his teams reaching the final of Asia's leading club competition.
"I spent two-and-a-half wonderful years here, winning two titles, going to Shanghai and winning another title, so it's not a matter of trying to prove to myself," said Muscat.
"It's a matter of continuing on the work that we have done in the last 12 months, continuing that work and that progress with a wonderful group of people that are willing to sacrifice and willing to progress.
"At this point in time, our performances in the Asian Champions League have improved slightly but it's not the finished product from us.
"We strongly believe when we reviewed the game that we created multiple chances in the last game.
"Some things didn't go our way and tomorrow's another opportunity for us to perform well on a big stage away from home to get the recognition that the players deserve."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
England starting lineup tonight as major changes made after Andorra debacle
England eked out a win against minnows Andorra on Saturday, with Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel set to ring the changes in the wake of that farcical performance Ruthless Thomas Tuchel is set to make seven changes to his England line-up for Tuesday's friendly against Sengal. The moves come after Saturday's farcical win over Andorra, in which the Three Lions could manage just one goal against the minnows. England were booed off at both half-time and at the final whistle by their own fans for their performance. They needed a second-half strike from captain Harry Kane to dispatch their opponents, ranked 153rd in the world. The Three Lions now have a break from World Cup qualifying, instead taking on Senegal in a friendly. The game will be hosted at Nottingham Forest's City Ground, with FA chiefs keen to have the national team move around the country. While the game isn't competitive, Tuchel will be taking Tuesday's game seriously, given he has a limited amount of time with the team. The German only took charge in January with a brief to win next year's World Cup. There are only a handful of international breaks left before that tournament, limiting Tuchel's time with the squad. And he will now show his ruthless side by making seven changes to his starting line-up. Only captain Kane, Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham and Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, who caught the eye against Andorra, will keep their places in the team. The changes start in goal, with Dean Henderson handed a start over No.1 Jordan Pickford. Henderson is being rewarded after starring as Crystal Palace won the FA Cup, with Tuchel keen to get a full assessment of his options between the sticks. At right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold will come into the team after the experiment of playing Curtis Jones there failed. Alexander-Arnold has joined Madrid this summer, but struggled to earn a regular place under Tuchel's predecessor Gareth Southgate. Konsa will be partnered at centre-back by Chelsea's Levi Colwill, with the 22-year-old having been on the bench for all three of Tuchel's matches so far. Colwill was a regular in the Premier League for the Blues as they secured a top five finish. At left-back, Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly will be given the chance to impress. The 18-year-old was the breakout player of the season and scored on his England debut against Albania back in March. In midfield, Bellingham will take up one of the deeper-lying roles in Tuchel's 4-2-3-1 formation. He will be partnered by Arsenal Player of the Year Declan Rice, who was surprisingly snubbed in favour of Jordan Henderson against Andorra. Madueke will continue on the right wing after his impressive performance against Andorra. Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White will be granted a homecoming as Tuchel studies his options in the No.10 role. And fresh from scoring the winner in the FA Cup final, Eberechi Eze is set to be handed a start on the left wing. That just leaves space for captain Kane, who is set to start over Ivan Toney up-front. England: Henderson; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Colwill, Lewis-Skelly; Bellingham, Rice; Madueke, Gibbs-White, Eze; Kane Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Unai Emery dealt fresh blow as another star hints at Aston Villa transfer exit
Missing out on the Champions League for next season is set to cost Aston Villa heavily next season, with boss Unai Emery seeing several of his players admit their futures are uncertain Youri Tielemans has admitted that his future at Aston Villa is uncertain, despite sweeping the club's awards. Tielemans joined Villa in the summer of 2023 after scoring the winner for Leicester City in that year's FA Cup final. Having taken some time to adjust to Villa's style of play, the Belgian became a key player for Unai Emery. He featured in 53 games in all competitions, scoring five goals and notching 10 assists in the process. Tielemans started every match in Villa's run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The campaign ended in a tide of disappointment though, with Villa qualifying for the Europa League, rather than the premier continental competition. That has led to fresh concerns over Villa's compliance with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. That means that sales could well be needed this summer to ensure Emery's men avoid receiving a points deduction. Star keeper Emi Martinez already appears to be on his way out. And Tielemans has admitted his future is also far from certain, despite having two more years to run on his contract at Villa Park. 'There's nothing definitive or ruled out about whether I'll stay or leave. But I feel good at Aston Villa; I feel a lot of confidence from the club and the manager,' he said while on international duty with Belgium. 'Of course, I was able to score five goals and provide 10 assists this season. But I was also influential in my team's play. I've been consistent and I think I've improved throughout the season." 'We're used to playing a lot of matches, recovering between games. So, I didn't feel tired in Skopje. It must be said that I spent 60 minutes on the bench [laughs]. But now I'm ready to play and represent the country this Monday." Tielemans was crowned both Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season at Villa's awards night following his impressive season. He admitted to being left 'frustrated' at the end of the season after missing out on the top five. He said: "Frustrating to end the season this way. Thank you for your support throughout the whole campaign, Home and Away you've been amazing." If Tielemans did depart, it would be another blow for Emery amid Martinez's expected exit. After the season concluded, the Villa boss admitted that major changes could be coming in the Second City this summer. "We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field. Of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season," he said after the final day defeat to Manchester United. 'Frustrated today, but we are in the Europa League, we are in Europe. To be in Europe is important and being in three years in a row I think is something we are showing our consistency.'
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘He battered me' – Ex-Everton hardman Duncan Ferguson reveals current England star beat him up in training fight
Former manager wanted the player to quit a big hobby ONE TO FERG-ET 'He battered me' – Ex-Everton hardman Duncan Ferguson reveals current England star beat him up in training fight DUNCAN FERGUSON has revealed he was "battered" in a training fight by a current England player. The former striker built a hardman image during his career and it is a reputation he is still known for. Advertisement 3 Duncan Ferguson challenged one of his players to a boxing fight Credit: Reuters 3 Anthony Gordon got the better of the ex-Everton boss Credit: Getty 3 Ferguson handed Gordon his Everton debut while in interim charge Credit: Getty Ferguson has previously fought off intruders in his own home and picked up nine red cards, often for thuggery, but one England star got the better of him. The Scot fought Anthony Gordon in a boxing match while the pair were at Everton. Ferguson was a big admirer of the youngster and handed Gordon his Everton debut while interim manager, but he wanted to teach the winger a lesson to persuade him to quit sparring - one of his big hobbies. But after donning the gloves to take on Gordon, Ferguson was taught a lesson of his own - not to challenge the quick and nimble winger. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL MIC DROP Michael Carrick lands new job after Middlesbrough axe as John O'Shea joins him Ferguson revealed the incident in his book, Big Dunc: The Upfront Autobiography. He said: "I made sure Gordon got his debut at Limassol, I then gave Anthony his second game against Leicester,' Ferguson wrote. "I loved his appetite to improve, he wanted to learn and practice, practice, practice. "He was as fit as a fiddle and took diet seriously but was still going to different boxing gyms and sparring. 'You have to stop,' I told Anthony, "You can't go to them, you'll get hurt". Advertisement BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS "He battered me once in the Finch Farm gym. I had a pair of boxing gloves on, he didn't. And I didn't do it again. "Anthony's a bright lad, knows what he wants and is dedicated and lightning quick."
