The following article presents a summary of the 1997 football (soccer) season in Paraguay.
Contents
Torneo Apertura
The Apertura tournament was played in a single all-play-all system. After every draw during this stage the game went on to a penalty kick shootout, awarding two points to the winner of the shootout and one point to the losing team. At the end, the top eight teams qualified to a playoff stage to determine the Apertura champion.
Apertura playoff stage
The top eight teams qualified to this stage and were given bonus points based on their final standing in the table. Two groups of four teams were made, with the top two of each group advancing to a playoff stage.
Group stage
Group A
Group B
Semifinals
Apertura final
Cerro P. wins the Apertura tournament.
Torneo Clausura
The Clausura tournament was played in a single all-play-all system. After every draw during this stage the game went on to a penalty kick shootout, awarding two points to the winner of the shootout and one point to the losing team. At the end, the top eight teams qualified to a playoff stage to determine the Clausura champion.
Clausura playoff stage
The top eight teams qualified to this stage and were given bonus points based on their final standing in the table. Two groups of four teams were made, with the top two of each group advancing to a playoff stage.
Group stage
Group A
Group B
Semifinals
Clausura final
Olimpia wins the Clausura tournament.
National championship game
The national championship game was played between the Apertura and Clausura tournaments winners.
Olimpia declared as national champions by aggregate score of 2-1.
Relegation / Promotion
Qualification to international competitions
Paraguayan teams in international competitions
Paraguay national team
The following table lists all the games played by the Paraguay national football team in official competitions during 1997.