Corinthians keep top-four hopes alive

Porto Alegre, Oct 20: Corinthians kept alive their hopes of a top-four finish with a 2-1 victory over Internacional in Brazil's Serie A football championship.

Peru international striker Paolo Guerrero opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Gil made it 2-0 just after halftime at the Beira-Rio stadium Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Former Villarreal and Brazil forward Nilmar reduced the margin with less than 20 minutes remaining by netting his first goal since joining Internacional last month.

But Corinthians held off a spirited revival from the hosts to secure their 13th win of the season.

Mano Menezes' team is now fifth in the standings with 49 points, one point behind third-placed Internacional.

The top four teams in the competition will quality for next year's Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition.

In other matches Sunday, leaders Cruzeiro beat Vitoria 1-0, Botafogo drew 1-1 with Sport, Santos won 3-1 at Palmeiras, Figueirense routed Coritiba 4-0 and Atletico Paranense overcame Flamengo 2-1.