Brazil striker Oliveira hands Santos 22nd state title

Brazil international 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 final 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

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