1998-I Pre-Libertadores tournament

1998-I Pre-Libertadores tournament
Tournament details
Dates4-26 February
Teams4 (from 2 associations)
Final positions
ChampionsMexico Guadalajara
Runners-upMexico América
Third placeVenezuela Caracas
Fourth placeVenezuela Atlético Zulia
Tournament statistics
Matches played8
Goals scored24 (3 per match)
Top scorer(s)Mexico Gustavo Nápoles (4 goals)
← —

The 1998-I Pre-Libertadores tournament was the first edition of the Pre-Libertadores tournament, the annual qualifying tournament between teams from Venezuela and Mexico, that defined two teams qualified to the next Copa Libertadores. It was held from 4 to 26 February 1998.[1]

The tournament was contested by two teams from Venezuela, Caracas and Atlético Zulia, and two teams from Mexico, América and Guadalajara. The top two teams qualified to the 1998 Copa Libertadores where they joined Brazilian clubs Grêmio and Vasco da Gama in the Group 2 of the competition.

Participating clubs

Originally, the two Mexican teams were to be determined in a preliminary round organized by the Mexican Football Federation between América, Guadalajara, Cruz Azul and Atlante. However, Cruz Azul and Atlante declined to participate, leaving America and Guadalajara to advance directly to the Pre-Libertadores.[2]

The two Venezuelan teams were the champions and runners-up of the 1996–97 Venezuelan Primera División season.

Association Team Qualification method
Mexico Mexico América (Mexico 1)[Note MEX] Designated by the Mexican Football Federation
Guadalajara (Mexico 2)[Note MEX] Designated by the Mexican Football Federation
Venezuela Venezuela Caracas (Venezuela 1) 1996–97 Venezuelan Primera División season champions
Atlético Zulia (Venezuela 2) 1996–97 Venezuelan Primera División season runners-up
Note
  1. Mexico (MEX): The order of Mexican teams was defined in a play-off played on 14 January 1998 which was won by América 2–0 over Guadalajara.[3]

Results

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Mexico Guadalajara 4 3 1 0 12 5 +7 10 1998 Copa Libertadores Group 2
2 Mexico América 4 2 1 1 5 2 +3 7
3 Venezuela Caracas 4 1 2 1 4 6 −2 5
4 Venezuela Atlético Zulia 4 0 0 4 3 11 −8 0
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: [citation needed]

Matches

The match schedule had to be reduced because the start date of the 1998 Copa Libertadores was near (25 February), so matches between teams from the same country were omitted.[1] Each team played a total of 4 matches.

Atlético Zulia Venezuela2–3Mexico Guadalajara
 Report
Referee: Luis Seminario (Peru)
Caracas Venezuela1–1Mexico Guadalajara
González 59' Report Sánchez 61'
Atlético Zulia Venezuela0–2Mexico América
Report
Caracas Venezuela1–0Mexico América
Rey 3' Report
Guadalajara Mexico4–1Venezuela Atlético Zulia
 Report J. García 4'
Referee: John Jairo Tenorio (Colombia)
América Mexico2–0Venezuela Atlético Zulia
 Report
Guadalajara Mexico4–1Venezuela Caracas
 Report Bidoglio 18'
América Mexico1–1Venezuela Caracas
Valenzuela 27' Report Ramos 86'

Goalscorers

There were 24 goals scored in 8 matches, for an average of 3 goals per match.

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

References

  1. ^ a b Minniti, Javier. "Recuento histórico de la Liguilla entre Venezuela y México" [Liguilla history between Venezuela and Mexico] (in Spanish). University of the Andes. Archived from the original on 10 December 2004. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  2. ^ Fares Parra, Omar (9 August 2010). "La historia de una marcha vibrante" [The history of a vibrant march] (in Spanish). El Informador.
  3. ^ "Tardes Mágicas: Clásico ¿Sudamericano?" [Magic Afternoons: Classic South American?] (in Spanish). Nidoazulcrema.com. 17 September 2020.