Tercera Division de Costa Rica
 | |
| Founded |
2008 2003–2008 (as Anafa) 1982–2003 (as Tercera Division) 1962–1982 (as Conafa) |
|---|---|
| Country | Costa Rica |
| Number of teams | 64 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to |
 Costa Rican Second Division |
| Relegation to |
 Linafa Segunda Division |
| Current champions | Siquirreña |
| TV partners | - |
| Website | Official website |
Linafa is the third level of Costa Rica soccer pyramid. It is composed of amateurs teams from different regions of the country. The winner gets promoted to Segunda Division.
History
In 1962 is created the Liga Nacional de Filiales Regionales (Regional Affiliates National League), by 1968 CONAFA (National Amateur Football Committee), and together with local football committees created the national championship organized as Third Division. The third division championships have an important history in Costa Rican soccer, because the winner gets a spot on the next Segunda Division season and can aspire to first level competition. Also is used to sanction or relegate Segunda and Primera Division teams, By 2008, the whole Costa Rica soccer pyramid is reorganized and now known as LINAFA.
LINAFA
With the new structure, LINAFA also manages an internal Second Division and Minor Leagues organization, including more townships amateur teams and juvenile teams.
2012–2013 Season
64 teams participating in different groups and stages depending on various factors such as geographic location and the economy, are divided into 10 groups with the particularity that the group F is divided in two.[1]
- Teams by Groups
| Group | Nº | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Group A (San José) | 7 | B.C.J Uruca, Danubio FC, Hatillo 8, San Francisco FC A.D. Sagrada Familia, San Felipe, Orión Escazú |
| Group B (San José) | 7 | Montes De Oca, Arenal, C.S. Guadalupe A.D. Valencia, San Luis, San Rafael Abajo, San Francis |
| Group C (Alajuela) | 5 | Selección de Cacao, Municipal Santa Ana, Sarchí Selección de Canoas, Higuiteña |
| Group D (Alajuela & Heredia) | 5 | A.D. La Virgen, Upala (Guatuso), COFUTPA Palmarés Sarapiquí R.F, Zarcero |
| Group E (Heredia) | 8 | A.D. Barrealeña, Los Ángeles Heredia, La Suiza F.C A.D. Barveña, Tournón KALI, A.D. San Rafael A.D. Santo Domingo, A.D. Municipal San Pablo |
| Group F (A) (Limon) | 5 | AD Caribe FC, AD Caribe Sur FC, A.D.F. Siquirreña La Francia, Municipal Matina |
| Group F (B) (Limon) | 4 | CISA Pocora FC, Real LEMUSA, AD Guajira, Cariareña |
| Group G (Cartago) | 6 | Estudiantil Guadalupana, Praxis, Selección Pejibaye Municipal el Guarco, Pumas Orosi FC, AD Tarrazú |
| Group H (San José & Puntarenas) | 5 | Colorado Corredores, Atlético Quepos, Osa F.C Olla Cerro, Municipal Parrita |
| Grupo I (Puntarenas) | 7 | Jícaral, A.D. Municipal Puntarenas C.D.M. Puntarenas, San Buenaventura FC A.D. Cóbano, A.D. Herradura, A.D. Guarial Paquera |
| Group J (Guanacaste) | 7 | A.D. Colorado Abangares, S.D. Ruiz Moracia Nandayureña Cuajiniquil, Santa Rosa Sardinal FC, Patiño FC |
- Final Positions
1. ADF Siquirres (Champs)
2. Jicaral (Runner-up)
3. San Rafael de Heredia
4. Sagrada Familia
5. Atlético Quepos
6. Municipal Guarco
7. Municipal Puntarenas
8. Caribe Sur
9. Santa Ana
10. Santo Domingo
11. Santa Teresita Aserrí
12. Municipal Parrita
13. Zarcero FC
14. San Buenaventura
15. Sarchí FC
16. Pumas FC
17. La Suiza
18. Montes de Oca
19. CISA Pocora
20. Selección de Canoas.[2]
Recent Champions 1983–2013
| Torneo | Temporada | Champion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1983 | Ferretería Núnez F.C. | now known as Municipal Pérez Zeledón, plays in Primera Division |
| 2 | 1984 | A.D. Damas de Quepos | folded team |
| 3 | 1985 | A.D. Municipal Liberia | |
| 4 | 1986 | A.D. Municipal La Unión | currently in Linafa Second Div. |
| 5 | 1987 | A.D. Belén Calle Flores | |
| 6 | 1988–1989 | A.D. Municipal Barquero | |
| 7 | 1989–1990 | A.D. Valverde Vega | |
| 8 | 1990–1991 | A.D. Municipal Cañas | folded |
| 9 | 1991–1992 | A.D. Bamola | |
| 10 | 1992–1993 | A.D. Vecinos de Santa Ana | |
| 11 | 1993–1994 | A.D. Santa Bárbara | |
| 12 | 1994–1995 | A.D. Orotinense F.C | |
| 13 | 1995–1996 | A.D. Municipal Osa | |
| 14 | 1996–1997 | Pococí 2000 F.C. | |
| 15 | 1997–1998 | A.D. San Lorenzo F.C. | currently in Linafa Second Div. |
| 16 | 1998–1999 | A.D. Ciudad Colón | folded |
| 17 | 1999–2000 | A.D. Cartagena | |
| 18 | 2000–2001 | A.D. Tournón | |
| 19 | 2001–2002 | Esparza Carters F.C. | Sold franchise to Golfito F.C |
| 20 | 2002–2003 | A.D. El Roble F.C. | |
| 21 | 2003–2004 | A.D. Santacruceña | folded |
| 22 | 2004–2005 | A.D. Municipal Coto Brus | |
| 23 | 2005–2006 | A.D. Barrealeña | |
| 24 | 2006–2007 | A.D. Municipal Aserrí F.C | |
| 25 | 2007–2008 | A.D. La Suerte | |
| 26 | 2008–2009 | A.D. Barrealeña | |
| 27 | 2009–2010 | A.D. Desamparados | folded |
| 28 | 2010–2011 | A.D. Guajira de Pococí | back to Linafa |
| 29 | 2011–2012 | Finca Austria FC | changed name to A.D. Alajuela Jr, in Second Div. |
| 30 | 2012–2013 | Siquirreña |
References
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