1997–98 Honduran Liga Nacional

In 1997–98 the Honduran Liga Nacional brought a new competition system; the league would be now divided into two tournaments (Apertura and Clausura), having C.D. Motagua won their 6th and 7th title in this new format. The tournament lasted from August 1997 to October 1998 and it consisted of 11 teams for the first time since the 1981–82 season. The final match was played in the evening of 25 October, just a few hours before Hurricane Mitch landed in the coasts of Honduras.

1997–98 teams

 * Independiente Villela (invited)
 * Marathón
 * Motagua
 * Olimpia
 * Palestino (promoted)
 * Platense
 * Real España
 * Real Maya
 * Universidad
 * Victoria
 * Vida

Regular season

 * Also serves as 1997 Honduran Cup.

Hexagonal

 * Olimpia won 4–2 on aggregate.


 * Motagua 1–1 Real España on aggregate. Motagua advanced on better Regular season record; Real España advanced as best loser.


 * Platense 1–1 Universidad on aggregate; Platense advanced on better Regular season record.

Semifinals

 * Real España won 3–1 on aggregate.


 * Motagua 2–2 Olimpia on aggregate; Motagua advanced on better Regular season record.

Final

 * Motagua won 5–1 on aggregate.

Top goalscorers
19 goals 11 goals 7 goals
 * Wilmer Velásquez (Olimpia)
 * Juan Manuel Cárcamo (Platense)


 * 🇧🇷 Denilson Costa (Olimpia)
 * Francisco Ramírez (Motagua)
 * Marlon Hernández (Motagua)

6 goals


 * Amado Guevara (Motagua)
 * Alex Pineda Chacón (Olimpia)

5 goals


 * Alexis Duarte (Marathón)
 * Jairo Martínez (Motagua)
 * Edwin Castro (Marathón)

Hexagonal

 * Olimpia 2–2 Victoria on aggregate; Olimpia advances on better performance in Regular season; Victoria advances as best loser.


 * Platense 1–1 Marathón on aggregate; Platense advances on better performance in Regular season.


 * Motagua won 5–2 on aggregate.

Semifinals

 * Olimpia 2–2 Victoria on aggregate; Olimpia advances on better performance in Regular season.


 * Motagua won 5–4 on aggregate.

Final

 * Motagua won 1–0 on aggregate.

Top goalscorers
15 goals


 * Wilmer Velásquez (Olimpia)
 * Amado Guevara (Motagua)

13 goals 8 goals 7 goals
 * 🇧🇷 Denilson Costa (Olimpia)
 * Juan Manuel Cárcamo (Platense)


 * Marlon Hernández (Olimpia)
 * Francisco Ramírez (Marathón)
 * 🇧🇷 Rodinei Martins (Olimpia)
 * 🇧🇷 Toninho (Marathón)

5 goals


 * Alejandro Naíf (Victoria)
 * Marvin Brown (Vida)
 * Luis Ramírez (Independiente Villela)

2 goals


 * Carlos Salinas (Motagua)
 * Fabricio Pérez (Marathón)

1 goal


 * Alexander Díaz (Real España)
 * Enrique Reneau (Marathón)

Curiosities
On 12 July 1998, the league scheduled a match between Palestino F.C. and Universidad at Estadio Miraflores. The game which started at 14:00 local time, was played at the same time of the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Brazil. The match which ended 2–0 to Palestino, was witnessed by 55 loyal fans, an outstanding record.