Brazil striker Oliveira hands Santos 22nd state title

Rio de Janeiro, May 9: Brazil intertiol striker Ricardo Oliveira ended his goal drought to hand Santos their 22nd Sao Paulo state championship title.

Oliveira struck with a cool finish just before halftime as hosts Santos defeated Audax 1-0 in the second leg of their fil against Audax at the Vila Belmiro stadium on Sunday, reports Xinhua. The result gave Santos a 2-1 aggregate victory after the 1-1 draw in last week's first leg.

Oliveira's goal - the 36-year-old's seventh from 15 matches in 2016 - was his first since early March.

Elsewhere, Vasco da Gama won their 24th Rio de Janeiro state title when a 1-1 draw with Botafogo on Sunday gave them a 2-1 aggregate victory. Leandrinho put Botafogo ahead just after halftime with a neat header before Rafael Vaz nodded in an equaliser. Brazil's Serie A season - the country's top domestic league - begins next weekend. IANS