Santos keep title hopes alive, Corinthians falter

IANS

Rio de Janeiro, Oct 6 (IANS) Former Brazil international Ricardo Oliveira scored in the 80th minute to hand Santos a 1-0 victory over Fluminense in the Brazilian Serie A championship.

The 36-year-old headed in Jean Mota's corner kick after Fluminense's Wellington Silva cancelled out Jonathan Copete's opener here on Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

The result at the Vila Belmiro stadium gave the hosts their 16th win of the campaign and kept alive their hopes of a record-breaking ninth league title.

Pele's former club Santos are fourth in the standings, six points behind leaders Palmeiras, who have a game in hand.

Meanwhile defending champions Corinthians continued their disappointing season with a 0-0 home draw against Atletico Mineiro.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute when Leandro Donizete was shown a second yellow card for a rash challenge.

Corinthians dropped to eighth in the standings while Atletico Mineiro remained third.

Gremio rose to seventh after a second-half goal from midfielder Jailson fired them to a 1-0 win at Vitoria.

In other games on Wednesday, Atletico Paranaense defeated Chapecoense 3-0 and Sao Paulo drew 1-1 at Sport Recife.

--IANS

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