Kevin Muscat wins Japanese soccer title

Kevin Muscat has broken through for his first J1 League title with Yokohama F. Marinos, claiming the trophy in dramatic style on the final day of the season.

Yokohama beat Vissel Kobe 3-1 on Saturday to top the table outright on 68 points, two clear of Kawasaki Frontale, who beat FC Tokyo 3-2, despite playing with 10 for most of the game.

It is Yokohama’s fifth title and first since 2019, when former Socceroos boss and current Celtic mentor Ange Postecoglou triumphed.

Muscat’s breakthrough follows a second-placed finish in his first season in Japan, after joining the club in July 2021.

The title race went down to the final day after both Yokohama and Kawasaki won in the second-last week.

Elber’s looping header in the 26th minute gave Yokohama the lead over Vissel Kobe, before Yoshinori Muto equalised just before halftime.

But Takuma Nishimura restored Yokohama’s lead in the 53rd minute, and 20 minutes later, Teruhito Nakagawa tapped home to seal victory and the title.

Muscat has already signed a contract extension with Yokohama for next season but would surely be in contention to become the next Socceroos coach, were Graham Arnold to move on after the World Cup.

The title completes Muscat’s rebound from an ill-fated stint at the helm of Belgian top-flight outfit Sint-Truiden in 2020, where he was sacked after six months.

Muscat previously carved out a coaching legacy at Melbourne Victory, winning two A-League grand finals, an A-League premiership, and an FFA Cup before quitting in May 2019.