Primera Nacional Reducido Tournament Schedule Confirmed
Fourteen teams compete for the second promotion ticket to the Liga Profesional.
1Tournament Structure Overview
The Primera Nacional Reducido tournament features fourteen teams competing for the second promotion spot to the Liga Profesional. This mini-tournament begins while Godoy Cruz and Tristán Suárez contest the primary title. The loser of that final will join the Reducido in the second phase, creating a competitive path for all participants.
2Participating Club Breakdown
The field consists of teams ranked second through eighth from both Zone A and Zone B. Zone A qualifiers include Ferro, Deportivo Morón, Deportivo Madryn, Colón, Almirante Brown, Ciudad de Bolívar, and Estudiantes. Zone B features Atlanta, Temperley, Gimnasia de Jujuy, Midland, Deportivo Maipú, Colegiales, and Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta.
3First Phase Rules
The opening round consists of single matches hosted by the higher-seeded team in the regular season standings. In the event of a draw, the home team advances via sporting advantage. If two fifth-placed teams meet, the club with more regular season points earns the right to host the decisive match.
4Tie-Breaking Procedures
If teams remain tied on points during the first phase, specific criteria apply in order. The primary tie-breaker is goal difference, followed by total goals scored. If these metrics are identical, the final decision is determined by a random draw. These rules ensure a clear outcome for every single-match elimination fixture.
5Second Phase Progression
Winners of the first phase advance to the second round, where the loser of the primary final joins the bracket. A new ranking from first to eighth is established based on total annual points. This table determines the matchups for the subsequent double-leg series, ensuring that seeding remains consistent throughout the tournament.
6Double-Leg Series Format
From the second phase onwards, ties are decided over two legs. The team with the better position in the annual table hosts the return leg. Additionally, this higher-seeded team retains the sporting advantage if the aggregate score remains level after the conclusion of the second match, providing a significant incentive for consistency.
7Semifinal Seeding Logic
For the semifinals, a new four-team table is created based on regular season performance. The loser of the primary final, if still active, automatically occupies the top seed. Matches remain double-leg affairs, with the higher-ranked team hosting the second leg and holding the sporting advantage in case of an aggregate draw.
8Final Promotion Decider
The final stage features two teams competing in a double-leg series for the second promotion ticket. The team with fewer regular season points hosts the first leg, while the higher-ranked team hosts the return. Unlike previous rounds, if the aggregate score is tied, the promotion is decided by a penalty shootout.
Original article: Olé — Primera Nacional Reducido Tournament Schedule Confirmed