For those countries that organise their domestic championship in a playoff system, the idea is that the season culminates in a grand showpiece occasion. That, anyway, is the theory. Peru is showing us that it does not necessarily work out that way sometimes.

The Peruvian season is divided into two halves, both played on a league basis. The two winners then meet in a best-of-three final. In the first half of the year, the club that came out on top was Juan Aurich, from Chiclayo. This is significant....