Ecuador – the usual South American complexity: the championship went through 3 different stages until the champion was proclaimed. And, similarly, the relegated. Small top division – 14 teams, largely concentrated in Quito (6 clubs) and Guayaquil (3 clubs). Those were the main powers and protagonists, however, times were changing – Everest was in decline and trouble and almost unknown club was moving up, Filanbanco.
Second level was hidden from sight, but there were clubs previously playing top level football.
Deportivo Cuenca, for instance.
Filanbanco, however, won the Second Division championship – and moved up. But Filanbanco was to be heard of in South America, if nowhere else, later in the 1980s.
Everest (Guayaquil) was the big disappointment this year – they were consistently last. And relegated, as a result. One of the traditional leaders of Ecuadorian football.
Emelec (Quito) was the other disappointment – they were technically 8th at the end of the season .
The third club in dire straits hailed from Manta – financial hardship was the likeliest reason. Formerly known as Delfin, now they played under the name Manta-Sport It was not so bad for the moment, but for how long? 6th in the final table.
LDU (Portoviejo) on the other hand was climbing up – they finished 4th, improving with every next stage of the championship. They did better than their traditionally stronger and much more famous namesakes LDU (Quito). However, it is difficult the figure out why… in the second stage Portoviejo finished bellow Quito. True, only on worse goal-difference, but bellow.
Yet, LDU (Quito) did not reach the third stage of the championship and technically took 7th place – or rather should have been 7th, if there was full final table. They were not a factor at any stage, so 7th was pretty much their objective finish.
Barcelona (Quito) did well as usual, yet, not exceptionally well – 4th in the opening stage, 1st in the second stage, but 3rd in the most important final stage – and 3rd overall.
Barcelona was left behind by a club hardly ever in leading position: 9 de Octubre (Milagro). One more provincial club disturbing the status quo. Wonderful season, except for the second stage, where they finished 7th – perhaps saving strength for the final round. But teams coming up from nowhere are rarely able to win – 9 de Octubre came close, but 2nd place was their proper position.
As for the champions, they were familiar name – more than familiar. El Nacional (Quito), one of the strongest traditional favourites was going solidly strong. 1st in the opening stage, 2nd in the second stage, and 1st again in the final stage, deciding the championship.
So, champions again. Standing from left: Orlando Narváez, Wilson Armas, José Jacinto Vega, Milton Rodriguez, Marcelo Proaño, Hans Maldonado, Manuel Ron (Utilero).
Front row: Carlos Ron, Gonzalo Cajas, Victor Mora, Fernando Baldeón, Fabián Paz, Miño.
The players hardly ring any bells outside Ecuador, but they won the title in 1982 and repeated the success in 1983. Their Brazilian coach Roberto Abruzzesse deserves the credit, naturally. So, El Nacional was staying strong to the envy of its declining rivals.