Recently re-signed striker Edmundo believes that Vasco da Gama can defeat Flamengo when they meet in the semi-final of the Taça Guanabara on Sunday.

Vasco go into the game as underdogs against Flamengo, who finished six places above Gigante da Colina in last year's Brazilian championship and are the reigning champions of the Taça Guanabara after defeating Madureira in the 2007 final.

Edmundo believes that their opponents being seen as favourites can only help to motivate the team as they look to prove the doubters wrong on Sunday.

"We do not pay heed to the public opinion or that of the papers that place Flamengo as the first force of Rio and Vasco as the fourth. But we know that it will be difficult as they want to get the victory. People are working sufficiently here and have much desire to take the win," he told Placar.

Having just re-signed with Vasco for his fifth spell with the club, Edmundo has plenty of memories of previous matches where he has taken the team to victories over Flamengo, but is not pre-occupied with becoming the hero on Sunday.

"Sincerely I do not have a pretension to become the hero in this game. What I want to see more is for Vasco to qualify for the final."

Vasco last won the Taça Guanabara in 2003, defeating Flamengo in the final, but have failed to reach the final since then and will be looking to get one over on their great rivals in the Clássico dos Milhões; the derby of millions.