Nacional vow to honour crash victims

OSAKA, Japan: Colombia’s Atletico Nacional arrived in Japan on Saturday to contest the Club World Cup, carrying the hopes of a continent still mourning after last month’s Chapecoense air disaster.

Nacional’s incidental part in the tragedy — the Brazilian team were en route to play them when their plane crashed, killing 71 people, including all but three Chape players — has thrust them into the public eye.

Nacional, who won their second Libertadores Cup in July, promised to honour the memory of their stricken rivals after touching down in Osaka for the Club World Cup’s first semi-final in midweek.

“The best tribute we can give them is to play a great tournament and reach the final,” Nacional coach Reinaldo Rueda told reporters at Kansai International Airport after their long-haul flight.

“Hopefully we will reach our objective,” he added as he looks ahead to a possible final against Spanish giants Real Madrid on December 18.

In a touching move, Nacional, who were due to meet Chapecoense in the Copa Sudamericana final before the disaster, successfully lobbied for the Brazilians to be awarded the title posthumously.