TRAGEDY: Chapecoense- An untimely demise
- Chirayato Banerjee
- Nov 29, 2016
- 2 min read
One of the many success stories of Chapecoense in 2015. Image Courtesy: Federação Catarinense de Futebol
By now, the world is aware of the tragedy that struck the plane travelling to Colombia. Out of the 81 lives on board, 76 are dead. Amidst them, were members and players of Brazilian football club Associação Chapecoense de Futebol. The team were travelling to take part in their debut continental final when the plane crashed. An otherwise glorious chapter of the football club was reduced to ashes with this disaster.
Being a small name in the Brazilian football scene, Chapecoense were about to make history, after a fairytale run saw them through to the finals. The club had a gritty run in the tournament and were due to face a strong Atlético Nacional side in a two-legged final.
Chapecoense had been resonating with success after a season of dramatic glory. It would have been the perfect icing on the cake with a win in the final. Chape had overcome significant adversity to mark a dream run in the Copa Sudamericana (the South American equivalent of Europa League). This occasion could have marked the zenith of the relatively smaller club of Brazilian football.
Back in 1970s, Chapecoense had been formed with the merger of two amateur teams. They remained regional minnows, until their rise through the divisions brought them under the spotlight. From being third in Série D, they rose to the second in Série B, and in 2016, with one game remaining, were 9th in Série A. A remarkable leap of faith had seen the club stand strong in harsh conditions.
Much like Leicester City, Chape had been dreaming to win the tournament and end the season on a high. Perseverance was a major factor behind their success as they retained a modest squad. The return leg against Atlético Nacional was due to take place in Curitiba, some 400km away from Chapecó because their homely Arena Condá lacks the capacity and infrastructure to host a major final.
Back in September, coach Caio Júnior, was inclined to script this dream run akin to the Foxes. “Our team really reminds me of Leicester, a team from an unfancied city that was able to win an important title,” he said after a league win over Fluminense. “I want to make a mark this season with this club, this group of players.”
They had achieved success in the Sudamericana, winning against the heavyweight sides of Independiente and San Lorenzo en route to the final. There was not a great deal of flamboyance but the team spirit remained high as they rode through.
This morning’s events in Medellín, is beyond any form of consolation. An abject feeling of loss has shrouded the South American football ecosystem. A side which was so close to scaling the acme of success has only grief to suffer. A tragedy has never been depicted in a more true sense than today morning.
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