1990 Copa Apertura

The 1990 Copa Apertura was a football tournament held in Paraguay in 1990.

Introduction

The Copa Apertura is an annual football tournament held in Paraguay, considered one of the most prestigious national team competitions in the country. The tournament was first established in 1988 and has been held annually since then.

Background and History

The idea of a national team competition in Paraguay dates back to the early 20th century, when the country's football clubs began competing against each other for local titles. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that the Copa Apertura was established as a formal tournament.

1. 1990: The first edition of the Copa Apertura took place from April to June 1990.
2. 1991-2005: The tournament continued to be held annually, with some interruptions due to financial or organizational issues.
3. 2006-2012: The Copa Apertura was suspended due to financial difficulties and a dispute between the tournament organizers and the Paraguayan Football Association (FPF).
4. 2013-present: The tournament resumed in 2013 after a three-year hiatus, with some changes to its format and structure.

Purpose and Significance

The Copa Apertura is considered an important national team competition in Paraguay, providing a platform for the country's best players to compete against each other and representing the nation at international level.

Key Concepts

Tournament Format

The Copa Apertura typically features a group stage followed by a knockout phase. The teams are divided into groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage.

1. The group stage consists of a round-robin format, where each team plays every other team in their group once.
2. The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, which consists of a semifinal and final match.

Qualification Process

The qualification process for the Copa Apertura typically involves a series of matches played between the teams that will participate in the tournament. The qualification matches are usually held at the end of the previous season or early in the new season.

Tournament Rules and Regulations

The Copa Apertura is governed by the rules and regulations set forth by CONMEBOL (the South American Football Confederation) and the FPF.

• Rules: The tournament follows the standard CONMEBOL rules, with some modifications to accommodate local conditions.
• Regulations: The tournament is subject to the FPF's rules and regulations, which govern matters such as team participation, player eligibility, and match scheduling.

Technical Details

Teams Participating

The Copa Apertura typically features a total of 12 teams from Paraguay, with some modifications to accommodate special cases or circumstances.

1. Top clubs: The top six clubs from the previous season's Primera División tournament are automatically qualified for the Copa Apertura.
2. Champions League runners-up: The runner-up of the 2019-20 South American Club Championship is also qualified for the tournament.
3. FPF Cup winners: The winner of the FPF Cup (the top domestic cup competition in Paraguay) is also qualified for the tournament.

Schedule and Venues

The Copa Apertura typically takes place from April to June, with the group stage matches played on weekends and the knockout stage matches played on weeknights.

• Stadiums: The tournament is played at various stadiums across Paraguay, including the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asunción.

Applications/Uses

The Copa Apertura serves several purposes beyond just entertainment, including:

1. To determine the national team's qualification for international competitions such as the World Cup and the Copa América.
2. To promote domestic football in Paraguay and provide a platform for local players to compete against each other.

Cultural Significance

The Copa Apertura holds significant cultural importance in Paraguay, with many fans viewing it as an important national event that brings the country together.

• Traditions: The tournament has several traditions and customs associated with it, including the pre-match ceremonies and the presentation of medals to the winners.

Impact/Significance

The Copa Apertura has a significant impact on Paraguayan football and society, providing:

1. A platform for local players to compete against each other and represent their country at international level.
2. A source of national pride and identity.

Related Topics

The Copa Apertura is closely related to several other topics, including:

1. Panamanian Football League (Liga Panameña de Fútbol): The Liga Panameña de Fútbol is the top division of football in Panama and shares some similarities with the Copa Apertura.
2. Uruguayan Primera División: The Uruguayan Primera División is the top division of football in Uruguay and has a similar structure to the Copa Apertura.