Brazil 4-0 Japan: Neymar scores four including perfect hat-trick

Brazil 4-0 Japan: Neymar scores four including perfect hat-trick as Brazil thrash Japan to continue strong start to Dunga's return
Neymar puts Brazil ahead in Singapore after 18 minutes
Brazilian captain doubles the lead early in the second half, before tucking home a rebound to complete hat-trick
Neymar adds a fourth on 81 minutes with a towering header
Striker now has 40 goals in 58 international appearances
Barcelona star had already rattled the crossbar with brilliant free kick
Former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Milan star Keisuke Honda left on the bench for Japan


Neymar once again stole the show as Brazil continued their strong start under new manager Dunga by sweeping aside Japan in Singapore, the 22-year-old bagging four goals including a perfect hat-trick.

Just three days after seeing off Argentina in the Superclassico de la Americas, Neymar, Brazil's captain and talisman, scored all four goals as Brazil saw off a Japan side also trying to recover from a disappointing World Cup.

The striker, who was dangerous in flashes against Argentina, put in a superb display, terrorising the Japanese defence and finishing clinically when the opportunities arose.



Neymar celebrates his first goal in front of a sea of fans in Singapore, after being put through by new strike partner Diego Tardelli


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The majority of the fans in the National Stadium in Singapore were backing Japan, but many seemed excited to witness Brazil in the flesh


A young supporter shows his allegiance to Japan, and in particular Milan star Keisuke Honda, who was kept on the bench in the first half


Neymar was a constant threat, running at the Japan defence as he continued his good form from the previous game against Argentina

Japan started brightly, and despite resting their most established stars such as Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa, the Blue Samurai caused Brazil some troubles in the first half.

But Neymar was a constant threat, ably assisted by Diego Tardelli, who looked to have gained confidence from his two goals against Argentina in Beijing, and was far more involved in the build-up play than in the Superclassico.

And it was from one such moment of combination that Brazil went ahead after 18 minutes. Tardelli dropped deep and threaded a delightful ball through the Japan defence, and Neymar, quicker and stronger than his marker, collected it, before rounding Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima and slotting home.


The Barcelona forward almost got on the score-sheet early on, bending a beautiful free kick over the wall only to sit it hit the crossbar


Stuttgart defender Gotoku Sakai was one of just three Japanese starters in a slightly weakened eleven, to play their club football in Europe



Even before that the Barcelona striker had shown that he was always the most dangerous player on the pitch, striking the angle of post and bar with a beautiful free kick.

Japan continued to make their opponents work, but rarely forced Jefferson in the Brazil goal to make a save, as Dunga's side began to take control in Singapore.

And in the second half it was the Neymar show, the 22-year-old sliding home from a brilliant Coutinho pass, tucking home a rebound after the Liverpool midfielder had seen a shot saved, and then rising highest at the back post to score a fourth.





Neymar celebrates with substitute Robinho after scoring his first goal, the Brazil captain having rounded Japan's keeper Eiji Kawashima


Dunga (right) is enjoying a good start to his second spell in charge of Brazil, but didn't seem too concerned after Neymar's first goal


The Brazilians celebrate going in front in the 18th minute, and the World Cup semi-finalists looked comfortable from that point on

Japan had no answer to his magnificence, neither preventing the supply of ball, or, as a more experienced and perhaps more cynical side might have done, stopping him with fouls before he got into full flight.

Instead they stood off the Barcelona star, and he needed no second invitation. With the likes of Oscar, Willian and Coutinho, and later Kaka and Robinho, feeding his runs, Neymar could even have had more.

With the score at 2-0 he was played through on the left side, but missed the target after cutting cleverly back inside. It mattered little though, as the chances kept coming for Brazil's favourite son, who now has 40 goals in just 58 games for his country.


Neymar runs through to score his second goal after being fed by a wonderful outside-of-the-foot pass from Liverpool star Coutinho


The Barcelona forward runs away to celebrate after effectively ending the match as a contest with his second goal in Singapore


It was a magnificent display from a player on top of his game as Japan failed to cope with Neymar's direct running and clinical finishing


Neymar celebrates after bagging his hat-trick goal after Kawashima had parried Coutinho's shot from the edge of the penalty box


The Brazil captain was left unmarked at the far post to head in his fourth, as the 22-year-old superstar ran riot in SIngapore