Harry Kewell’s good start in Japan continues, but Kevin Muscat’s team loses Super Cup final in China

Harry Kewell’s already on a roll with Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos, but Kevin Muscat’s first game in charge of his new Chinese team ended in defeat.

Harry Kewell has continued his unbeaten start as manager of Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos, but Kevin Muscat’s tenure at Chinese outfit Shanghai Port has begun in defeat.

Former Socceroos star Kewell, who took over at Marinos from Muscat, guided his Yokohama team to a last-gasp 2-1 away win over Tokyo Verdy in the weekend’s opening round of the J1 League season.

It was Kewell’s third game in charge of Marinos, with the former Celtic assistant coach also having led his new club to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals after beating Thai club Bangkok United 3-2 on aggregate over two legs in the competition’s round-of-16 stage.

Marinos drew 2-2 in Bangkok before winning the return leg 1-0 at home.

Harry Kewell has made a good start to his coaching stint at Yokohama F. Marinos. Picture: Apinya Rittipo/Getty Images

Muscat, who left Marinos at the end of last season, took charge of his new club for the first time in Sunday’s Chinese Super Cup final.

Port qualified for the final as a result of winning last year’s Chinese Super League.

However, they were beaten 1-0 by fierce rivals Shanghai Shenhua, last season’s Chinese FA Cup winners.

Shenhua’s Angola-born, Switzerland-raised striker Cephas Malele scored the game’s only goal in the 55th minute.

Port finished the match with 10 men after their Brazilian midfielder Matheus Jussa was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 86th minute.

“The game had a good atmosphere, though we could have played better,” former Melbourne Victory coach Muscat said after the match at the Hongkou Football Stadium.

“We could still control the first half, then found it more difficult in the second half.”

Port start the defence of their Chinese Super League title on Friday night with a home match against Wuhan Three Towns.

Marinos are also back in action on Friday when they continue their J1 League campaign at home against Avispa Fukuoka.

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mitch Langerak tasted defeat in his opening JI League match of the season, with Nagoya Grampus losing 3-0 at home to Kashima Antlers.