Atlético Zulia

Atlético Zulia was a Venezuelan football club from Maracaibo, which existed only between 1996 and 1998, during this period, but twice won the Apertura the Venezuelan League and the championship of the total 1997/98 season.

History

The club was created with the acquisition of the license for the Unicol FC from Lagunillas before the start of season 1996 / 97th At the end of the first half of the season the team finished second in the final table of the Apertura 1996 ( first half of the season 1996 /97) on par with the AC Minerven FC the first place, so that two playoffs by winning the Apertura were required in which both teams their home game each won 1-0. The subsequent penalty shoot-out decided Zulia 4-2 in his favor. The discharged at the end of season 1996/ 97 Total season finale against the winner of the Clausura 1997 was clearly lost, however, with 1:3 and 0:5 against FC Caracas.

Winning the 1996 Apertura authorized to participate in the Copa Libertadores 1998, in which the two Venezuelan representative ( Zulia and Caracas ) had to compete in a qualifying group with the first invited representatives of Mexican América and Chivas. During the Caracas FC was able to record at least five points in his favor, but still retired, Zulia lost all four matches ( 2:3 and 1:4, and 0:2 and 1:4 against Chivas against América ).

Also in its second season in 1997/98 won the championship of the Zulia Apertura 1997 and was able to this time in the overall season finale prevail ( 1-0 and 4-0) against Estudiantes de Mérida. The -won by this success, participation in the Copa Libertadores 1999 was perceived by the successor Universidad de Los Andes FC, ​​to which the license for the season 1998/99 had been divested.

Achievements

• Venezuelan champion: 1997/98
• Venezuelan Vice- Champion: 1996/97