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.
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.
The two Venezuelan teams were the champions and runners-up of the 1996–97 Venezuelan Primera División season.
AssociationTeamQualification method MexicoAmérica Designated by the Mexican Football FederationGuadalajara Designated by the Mexican Football Federation VenezuelaCaracas 1996–97 Venezuelan Primera División season championsAtlético Zulia 1996–97 Venezuelan Primera División season runners-up Note
Results Standings
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. Each team played a total of 4 matches.
Goalscorers
References