On that path to make national football more professional, the historic Peru Cup She was knocked down in the system, and then lost her direct ticket to the First Division in 2022. From that moment, promotion became more complicated and an achievement more desirable.
Every season, 18 clubs compete in the Second Division, or better known Liga 2for a place in the highest category of Peruvian soccer. Thus, the semi-finals of the current edition ended, leaving many chapters to remember and defining two new tenants of the Liga 1 2025.
He was the first to confirm his presence University Alliance. Huánuco’s team showed from start to finish that they wanted to return to first class. In every stage of the competition, they placed first in their group with an amazing record.
During 2024, they went 11 dates without losing and lost only three matches – against Agropecuaria, Deportivo Coopsol and Santos – out of 20 played, and only once managed to score points in their fortress: the Heraclio Tapia León stadium .
His near-perfect campaign allowed him to qualify directly for the play-off semi-finals, where he once again met Santos, one of his executioners in the regular stage, and gained revenge. He won it in the round-trip duels with a big aggregate score (5-1). So, back to Series 1 after four years.
There are many people behind this important achievement, but without a doubt the technician Paul is Coming It was essential to bring the Huanuqueños to the highest category. He united a team made up of young and experienced players, and shared all his experience as a footballer with them.
Their resilience and durability cannot be overlooked. At 49 years old, he had to caress the glory, but he had lost battles along the way. In 2022 – his first season in League 2 – he wasn’t even in the top five.
In 2023, he missed out on promotion when he lost the final against The Chankas. Despite this, he believed in the process and renewed his connection with the ‘azulgranas’. The former player was not wrong and now he must prepare for his first hope in League 1.
Goals are very important in any campaign. It was an old acquaintance from the First Division who was in charge of unleashing the screams and passion of the Alianza Universidad fans. It’s over Leonard Pajoywith the past i The Lima Alliance.
Colombia showed all its validity. And at the age of 43 he recorded 9 ‘pepas’, including two doubles, which was worth returning the favor to the team that allowed him to do what he likes the most, playing football at the that age.
Pajoy was the team’s leading scorer. ‘azulgranas’ on the way to promotion. Jorginho Sernaquea player who was made in the Second Division going through many teams, he made 10 ‘goals’In fact, he scored in the decisive match against Santos. Talent to follow next year.
The other semi-final was full of emotions, goals and controversies. Traders FC He won by the narrowest of margins in the first leg, however, he was unable to consolidate his promotion in the second leg. John Paul II took the key to punishment.
The truth is, during the 90 minutes of the second game, The referee validated an offside goal in favor of the Congoyapanos. The forward Facundo Rodríguezwho was in front, ordered the ball to be saved and tied the key. This goal could not be disallowed as there was no VAR in League 2.
After that, the locals scored the second with three shots from the twelve steps Nahuel Rodríguez. The people from Loreto did not lower their arms and put ‘pepa’ on their scorer Junior Zambranothe force of the penalty shootout.
Then, John Paul II got access to the next edition of Series 1. The missed shots at Leonardo Salas y Carlos Lugo– the latter in a slightly strange way – they sentenced the end of Comerciantes FC and the rise of the northerners.
Rodríguez’s controversial goal was John Paul II’s achievement, but even more so by its owner. What happens is the owner of the Peru Peru Federation (FPF), Agustin Lozanowas the founder of this institution, where his wife also participates, being the president.
“I am the owner of John Paul II, my wife is the president. My son plays Pirate. Juan Pablo has a temporary license as a new club because it just got bigger,” were his statements in an interview with RPP.
Juan Pablo II is a club that has its own sports village, unlike others even in the First Division, which has attracted attention and has been questioned by many. For this reason, Lozano explained how he built that complex.
“In 2018 we started building and I built my soccer field, I built my house from 2019, with my fields, my dressing rooms, because I am passionate about soccer. How is it funded? With my resources, our resources, legal and bank resources”, he said.
Agustín Lozano is the owner of Juan Pablo II, a team that was recently promoted to Serie 1 2025.The Pope’s staff has grown exponentially. In 2022, he played his first season in the Peru Cup, where he could not overcome the provincial stage. By 2023, they managed to advance to the semi-finals of the national level, where they fell at the hands of San Marcos de Ancash.
Despite the elimination, he had already earned his ticket to League 2. In 2024, he faced the Second Division and had a good campaign led by a former Peruvian national team player, Santiago Acasiete, which helped him settle directly into the semi-finals.
Now, in 2025, it will be first in the best category in Peru. This is the first time that professional soccer will come to the city of Chongoyape. Previously, there was only one club from the province of Chiclayo in this championship: Juan Aurich.
Juan Pablo II and Alianza Universidad are the new tenants of League 1, however, the Peruvian Second Division is not yet complete. The new championship is still to be defined. Between the two clubs mentioned, whoever lifts the trophy will advance.
The final will be a single game and, unlike all matches in the tournament, it will take place in a neutral location and in Lima: the Iván Elías Moreno stadium in Villa El Salvador. This confrontation is scheduled for Sunday, October 20 at 2:00 pm