Peru. One can feel vertigo just trying to explain Peruvian championship structure. Top and lower levels were somewhat mixed, which concerned promotion and relegation. The top championship was divided into 2 phases, culminated by final group of 6 teams deciding the champion. But there was not clear-cut separation of first and second phase – somehow, the first phase determined the teams playing in the second phase, yet, each phase had its own conclusion. Lower level teams seemingly appeared at one point, playing against some unlucky top level starters for places in the next year championship, yet, there was relegation and promotion as well – 1 teams up, 1 team down. Perhaps the best is to start with second level winner and proceed to the top championship with explanations for each phase.
Guardia Republiclana (Lima) was the champion of second level this year. This way they seemingly earned promotion to the top level. Club Circolo Sportivo Guardia Republicana was a very new club, founded in 1981 and judging by the name – related to the Military. Which explains there rapid climb to the top of Peruvian football. One may wonder about their fan base – did they have any fans? Doubtful, for Lima had old and popular clubs and hardly anybody could suddenly chose to put his heart to some upstart, but state-sponsored clubs hardly ever need fans for their existence.
Speaking of lower levels, Peru had another champion – the winner of somewhat mysterious Copa Peru. What kind of clubs played in it and what the trophy was worth? Hard to tell, looking at the champion:
Hungaritos Agustinos (Iquitos) won Copa Peru, adding its name to rather long list of previous winners. Standing from left: Marden Macedo, Mario Melendez, Ramirez, ‘Timon’ Sandoval, Esteban Angulo, Roman Flores.
First row: Adriel Cardama, Oscar ‘Payasito’ Calvo, Edgar Ferreyra, Jorge Navas, Rafael ‘Candelita’ Rengifo.
Unheard of club, which even victorious, would remain unheard of. The city of Iquitos had its own popular and well known club, which apparently was not rivaled by Hungaritos Agustinos. Whatever HA won, it did not propel them to visibility. They were just a footnote, somehow. Yet, it was strange in the grand picture – already there were quite famous clubs, which were equally invisible: Defensor (Lima) was out of the picture, for example. Apparently, they were lost somewhere in the swamp of second level. But where exactly lurked Hungaritos Agustinos?