Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti handed Nottingham Forest star Jair Cunha another start in the team as he watched his team beaten late on by Japan.

Cunha had enjoyed a very good start to the season with Forest. After Ousmane Diomande arrived from Sporting CP with little match practice or training under his belt, the Brazilian was chosen to start the season in Oliver Glasner’s team.

The youngster hasn’t looked back and earned his maiden international call-up with Brazil during the last international break before earning another chance with his country during this round of matches.

One week after stunning Manchester City with a brilliant goal, Cunha has been back on the pitch as Brazil came unstuck against Japan.

Brazilian media deliver Jair Cunha verdict

The defender was left a little bit exposed as Brazil suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Japan – the nation who felt very unfortunate they didn’t knock Brazil out of the World Cup in the summer.

Cunha started the match, with Ancelotti choosing to play a mixture of elite experience and youthful exuberance, with the Forest man scored a pretty average rating of 5 by Globo.

They said: “He had good moments with crosses into the box and interceptions but ended up exposed in the play that led to both Japanese goals in the first half. Kubo had time to dribble, run and shoot for the first goal.”

Brazil are next in action when they play Singapore on Tuesday, and it now remains to be seen whether or not Cunha will keep his place for that particular contest.

Cunha will hope to get another game under his belt and all of these experiences with the national team will only serve to put him in good shape when it comes to playing for Forest.

The Reds look very much to have hit the jackpot once again when it comes to scouting the South American market, with Cunha one of Forest’s top-performing players this season.

Cunha is grounded has quality in both boxes, and ultimately, he looks set for a very bright future both with Forest and on the international stage.