Neymar fires all four goals in Brazil's 4-0 rout of Asian champions Japan

Japan were rendered helpless against Brazil as Barcelona superstar fired four goals in a spectacular solo performance as his side hammered the Asian champions 4-0 in Singapore on Tuesday.

Neymar was a class apart at Singapore's national stadium as he scored all of Brazil's goals and nearly provided more in front of a sell-out crowd. He underlined his star billing as he moved to 40 goals in just 58 games for Brazil and gave new coach Dunga a fourth straight win with no goals conceded.

The victory also rounded off a successful Asian mini-tour for this year's World Cup hosts after Saturday's convincing 2-0 win over arch rivals Argentina in Beijing, Sport24 reported.

Neymar looked dangerous from the starting. In an ominous start, he had a penalty shout waved away and grazed the side netting with a free-kick. The forward duly put Brazil ahead on 18 minutes when he ran on to Diego Tardelli's penetrating through-ball, scampered around goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima and finished with aplomb.

Japan were not prepared to roll over and Yu Kobayashi flashed a volley over the crossbar as his side nearly found a quick reply. Bundesliga's Shinji Okazaki almost found the target with a glancing header and Brazil dealt poorly with a corner on the stroke of halftime in signs of hope for Japan.

But Japanese optimism receded three minutes after the break when half-time substitute Philippe Coutinho won possession in midfield and prodded the ball forward for Neymar and he put his second goal of the night pat Kawashima.

Neymar should have sealed his hattrick when he rounded a defender and shot with the goal at his mercy, only to see the side-netting bulge.

Kaka arrived to huge applause in the 72nd minute and he quickly drew the best from Kawashima as his firm header, from a Neymar cross, was palmed onto the bar but the ball was not cleared. Although Kawashima kept out Coutinho's fierce drive, Neymar pounced on the rebound for his third on 77 minutes.

Four minutes later and Neymar got his fourth of the night, and 40th in a Brazil shirt, when he met Kaka's hanging cross from the left at the far post, the report added.