Chapeco rises from ashes of tragedy

Goalkeeper Jackson Follmann, who survived the crash but had his right foot amputated, carries the Copa Sudamericana trophy with his teammate Nivaldo. [Photo/IC]

The plane crash cut short the fairytale run of the unheralded team that had risen in five years from the fourth division and was playing in its first major final.

To rebuild the side, sporting director Rui Costa has recruited 22 players, most of them on loan.

Costa said on Friday that the game was "the strongest argument ... that this club refused to die."

The club's new coach, Vagner Mancini, called the match "a pivotal moment."

Ruschel and another surviving player, defender Helio Neto, are on the path to recovery and are aiming to return to action this season.

Goalkeeper Jackson Follmann had to have his right foot amputated, ending his career.

The others who survived the crash were two of the plane's Bolivian crew and a radio reporter, Rafael Henzel, who called Saturday's game "the first match of my new life."

The new-look Chapecoense squad has no big names, but includes experienced players such as former Lille striker Tulio de Melo and ex-Benfica goalkeeper Artur Moraes.

Half the match proceeds were go to the families of those killed, while the rest will be used to rebuild the club.