Lodeiro leads Botafogo romp against Resende

Rio de Janeiro, April 28 (IANS) Uruguay international midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro struck his eighth goal of the season as top Brazilan football club Botafogo beat Resende 5-0 and moved to within a match of securing Brazil's Campeonato Carioca.

The former Ajax playmaker struck in the 16th minute from a tight angle after a slalom run into the penalty area, Saturday, reports Xinhua. Clarence Seedorf, Rafael Marques, Fellype Gabriel and Doria also netted for Botafogo here at Volta Redonda.

Botafogo will now meet the winner of Sunday's Fluminense-Volta Redonda clash in the Rio Cup final slated for May 5.

A draw in that match will be enough to secure the Campeonato Carioca due to the club's superior Rio Cup record and its victory in the Guanabara Cup, which constituted the first half of the championship.

Meanwhile Santos progressed to the semi-finals of Sao Paulo's Campeonato Paulista after defeating Palmeiras 4-2 on penalties.