The gold medal at the Games is the only major international football title the Brazilians have never won, and they failed again in the final against Mexico at Wembley stadium just three weeks ago, despite massive expectations.

On Friday, most of the players who went to London come together again under beleaguered coach Mano Menezes, and will attempt to make up for their failure and keep on course their preparations for the next World Cup in 2014.

It is this tornado that Bafana might find themselves slap bang in the middle of at Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo on Friday night.

"When Brazil flew out to the Olympics they went business class, they didn't stay in the Olympic village because they are stars. Now they are wounded and want to prove a point," said Brazilian football analyst Ricardo Setyon.

"We have had 100% focus on the Olympics for one simple reason. What you saw in London is 80% of the team we'll have in 2014."

Friday's game is a rare home friendly for the Selecao. Traditionally, Brazil's pulling power is such that the Brazilian federation earns more money from overseas promoters and invitations from Europe, the Far East and the Gulf states than it would do from gate takings at home.

Brazil were also contracted to do several "world tours" by their clothing sponsor Nike, including a game in Johannesburg in 1997.

This year, Brazil have played three friendlies in the US, and one each in Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. Next month they play Japan on neutral turf in Poland.