TheLiga Intercalar orReserves Championship was a competition that served mainly to rotate less used players, juniors and players returning from injury. The first edition (2007–2008) was organized by theFootball Association of Porto, monitored by theLPFP andPortuguese Football Federation, and was played between clubs from theAF Porto and theAF Braga. By the second edition, the competition was played on a national level, participating clubs from the North and South Zones, which included the Big Three in Portuguese football:Benfica,Porto andSporting. Due to scheduling conflicts between theAF Lisbon and the AF Porto, the competition was split into two leagues in 2010–2011 and altogether abolished by the end of that season.
Every match was played every Wednesday afternoon, much like the older Reserve Leagues. It was organized into two leagues with two groups, theNorth Zone andSouth Zone with aWinter andSpring phase. Both winner and runners-up from both phases of both groups competed in a regional play-off after which each regional champion played in the national final.[1]
This tournament also brought innovations. With regard to the score of the draws:
Won = 3 points
Drawn with goals = 2 points
Goalless draw = 1 point
Lost = 0 points
In thereplacement rules, three substitution were allowed to be made during the game, plus two at half-time.
Portugal