Brazil Begin to Refind Rhythm as Dunga Revolution Takes Shape

That's eight scored without reply now. Four games, four wins, increasingly encouraging displays and a "craque" threatening to impose himself upon football's top table before too long.

There was, of course, one name that stood out as Brazil thrashed Japan on Tuesday in Singapore, and Neymar deserves all the plaudits coming his way. He carried an entire nation's World Cup dreams on his shoulders with such aplomb you would have been forgiven for forgetting this is a 22-year-old who has played just one full season in European club football.

In Tuesday's rout he gave a masterclass in what it means to be a modern-day forward. Prowling across the front line alongside the industrious Diego Tardelli, Neymar was simply everywhere.

He showed battling qualities against Argentina and previously at the World Cup as numerous opponents tried to kick him into submission. Against Japan, he just showed quality.

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He stands fifth on Brazil's all-time scoring record, already over halfway to Pele's official total of 77, and Tuesday was the first occasion a Brazil player has scored four times in a match since Romario managed the feat in 2000, against Venezuela.

But there is more to the Barcelona starlet than just finding the back of the net. The heartbeat of this new Selecao, he complements his team-mates and leads from the front with a natural swagger. Even when Thiago Silva returns, Neymar has stated a damn good case for retaining the captain's armband.

On Tuesday, the whole side put on a show. With the game winding down and long won, the confidence began to creep slowly back into the Brazilian players.

The ball was kept away from the Japanese with little difficulty, Robinho, on as a second-half substitute, attempted the kind of dribbles that made him such a daring and exciting prospect over a decade ago at Vila Belmiro.

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This was sauntering; this was sexy. Whisper it: This was samba football threatening to return.

And for that, credit must go to Dunga for the way he has managed to breed such optimism in such a short space of time. Now, it is not only their charismatic No. 10 who is playing like a man possessed.

Jefferson, currently helping Botafogo battle relegation in the Campeonato Brasileiro, has surely confirmed his status as the out-and-out No. 1 following a magnificent performance against Argentina.

He managed to show his acrobatic abilities again on Tuesday, with a fine fingertip save to make it four successive clean sheets under the new regime. In front of the stopper, Miranda has proved to be an able deputy for Thiago Silva, and calls for him to be previously included in Luiz Felipe Scolari's World Cup squad look well grounded.

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But the most drastic change has come in midfield. Thinking back briefly to that 7-1 defeat by Germany, the lasting image is of a middle sector that just could not compete with the might of the German machine.

Here, it was the Brazilian engine purring as midfield and attack combined seamlessly. Elias played his role to perfection, helping play tick over and moving the ball quickly to the front.

In the second half, Philippe Coutinho gave glimpses of what he is capable of, as well as encouragement to the Anfield faithful that he may be rediscovering his form of last season with a pinpoint pass that made Neymar's second goal a simple finish.

There were also run-outs for the veteran pair of Kaka and Robinho. Far from looking like relics from a forgotten era, the former almost scored within minutes of coming on before providing the cross for Neymar to head his and Brazil's fourth.

Before 2014 is out, Brazil have two more friendlies lined up. Turkey and Austria are next in line for Dunga and his new-look side.

The World Cup may not yet be forgotten, but there is at least some pride back in those yellow shirts. Victories against Argentina are always savoured, but the manner of their performance against the Japanese suggest brighter days are in Brazil's footballing future.