Chapecoense tragedy overshadows Club World Cup in Japan
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Atletico Nacional, the team who Chapecoense were to face before the fateful event, look to leave the scars of the tragedy that claimed 17 lives behind and compete at the Club World Cup in Japan. The South Americans will start their campaign on Dec 14 and could face Real Madrid in the final.
Colombian side Nacional
"Pain overwhelms our hearts and invades our thinking in mourning.
"For our part, and forever, Chapecoense
European Champions Real Madrid are the favourites to win the tournament that has been won by European teams 8 out of the last 9 times. The tournament kicks off on Thursday when Japanese team Kashima Antlers take on Kiwi side Auckland City in Yokohama.
Zinedine Zidane's men will be without Welshman Gareth Bale, who won't be able to return from ankle surgery in time to take part in the competition, but German international Toni Kroos will be available for the premier event.
Real will face the winner of Mexico's Club America and South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the second semi-final in Yokohama. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the front-runner for this season’s Ballon d'Or and has already won the European Championships and the Euros, has said that he would like to complete the set with the World Cup, that he has already won twice.
"It has been a perfect year, with the Champions League and the Euros. Now we have to win the Club World Cup. I want to win trophies, that's why I want to stay at this club," Ronaldo told AFP.
