The Peruvian championship was played a bit differently in 1981 – the most important this year were the qualifications for the 1982 World Cup and the national team was number one priority. The championship was changed a bit, the complicated formula a bit simplified and unexplainable anomalies took place. Second level was not affected directly, but still the final results were mysterious. When one looks at the list of II Division champions, one sees Juventud (La Palma).
Champions without a trophy and happy smiles.
When one looks at the list of promoted teams… no Juventud there, but UTC.
Universidad Tecnica (Cajamarca) – no champions, but with a huge cup… and promoted to first division.
To find out why such discrepancy, one has to look at the record of Copa Pery – the nation-wide complicated tournament, serving as second division of the country. 6 teams reached the final – among them the least known outside Peru was Mayta Capac (Chincha).
Mayta Capac finished 4th. The final tournament was won by Univeridad Techico – and overwhelmingly so: 5 matches – 5 wins. So, the picture with huge Copa Peru was right. So, promotion was more than fair.
FINAL TABLE
Pts – P – W – D – L – GF – GA
1. Universidad Técnica …….. 10 – 5 – 5 – 0 – 0 – 9 – 2
2. Juventud La Palma ………. 6 – 5 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 7 – 5
3. Atlético Grau ………….. 6 – 5 – 2 – 2 – 1 – 5 – 4
4. Mayta Cápac ……………. 4 – 5 – 2 – 0 – 3 – 5 – 5
5. Sportivo Huracán ……….. 3 – 5 – 1 – 1 – 3 – 4 – 9
6. Garcilaso ……………… 1 – 5 – 0 – 1 – 4 – 4 – 9
Juventud finished 2nd – and distant second at that. Why are they listed as 1981 second level champions is a mystery. The winners were Univerisad Techica (Cajamarca) and up they went to play first division football in 1982.