Atletico Nacional plays for Chapecoense at FIFA Club World Cup

SUITA, Japan (AP) — Representing South America at the Club World Cup has added significance following the plane crash that killed most of the Chapecoense team, Atletico Nacional defender Felipe Aguilar said Tuesday.

The Colombian club was to play Chapecoense in the Copa Sudamericana final but the Brazilian team's plane crashed on Nov. 28, killing almost all on board.

The directors of Atletico asked the governing body of South American soccer to award the Copa Sudamericana title to Chapecoense.

"We felt like brothers to the Brazilian team." Aguilar said. "And all of us were very happy to give them the Copa Sudamericana title. It's unfortunate this huge tragedy has occurred. We want to honor the victims and their families by winning this trophy and bringing it home."

Tragedy strikes Chapecoense amid rising club's greatest achievement

Atletico coach Reinaldo Rueda shared the sentiments of his 23-year-old defender.

"These past few weeks have no doubt been difficult," Rueda said. "Chapecoense are our brothers. We must win it for them."

Nacional qualified for the Club World Cup by winning the Copa Liberdatores in July. They take on Japanese champion Kashima Antlers on Wednesday.

Kashima has already knocked out Auckland City and Mamelodi Sundowns.

"They're a team who play with a lot of intensity," Rueda said. "They're well organized, strong on the counterattack and they'll give us a very physical game."

GALLERY: The world's tributes to Chapecoense

The world's tributes to Chapecoense

Atletico Nacional, the club Chapecoense was flying to play in the Copa Sudamericana final, holds a vigil in a packed stadium in Colombia to honor the victims of the plane crash.

Atletico Nacional honors Chapecoense with T-shirts prior to a league match in Colombia.

Solemn Arsenal players hold up a Força Chape banner prior to a League Cup match.

Atalanta fans pass a Chapecoense tifo around the stadium.

Fans at Club America's Liga MX playoff game against Necaxa at Estadio Azteca turn their cellphones into flashlights in honor of the Chapecoense victims.

Boca Juniors players hold up a banner that, translated, reads "We are all Chapecoense."

PSG forward Edinson Cavani reveals a Chapecoense T-shirt under his uniform after scoring a goal against Angers in Ligue 1.

Air Force members carry a casket carrying one of the victims of the Chapecoense air crash during a memorial service at the club's stadium in Chapeco, Brazil.

Chapecoense holds a memorial service at Arena Conda on a rainy day to commemorate the lives lost in the plane crash.

Manchester City and Chelsea players observe a minute's silence for the victims of the Chapecoense plane crash.

Rivals united: Barcelona and Real Madrid players stand together to honor the Chapecoense crash victims prior to El Clasico at Camp Nou.

Dortmund players stand together in silence to honor Chapecoense.

Chelsea's Brazilian players David Luiz and Willian hold up armbands with Força Chape written on them to honor the crash victims.

Everton and Manchester United players observe a moment of silence to honor Chapecoense.

Fans of Japanese club Cerezo Osaka remember Everton Kempes dos Santos Goncalves, a Chapecoense crash victim who played there in 2012.

Fiorentina and Palermo players stand silently to commemorate the Chapecoense crash victims.

Juventus players stand under a spotlight during a moment of observance for the Chapecoense victims.

Manchester City players warm up for their match vs. Chelsea with T-shirts dedicated to Chapecoense.

Fans at Tigres UANL's Liga MX playoff match vs. Leon display a giant black ribbon tifo in honor of the Chapecoense crash victims.

Argentina power River Plate wears a special jersey with a Chapecoense symbol across the chest.

Brazilian Bruno Cesar flashes a tribute to Chapecoense after scoring for Sporting Lisbon in Portugal's top flight.

AC Milan's Ignazio Abate wears a special armband and jersey to commemorate Chapecoense.

Toronto FC fans show their support for Chapecoense during the second leg of the MLS Eastern Conference final vs. Montreal.

The winner of Wednesday's semifinal match will likely face European champion Real Madrid in Sunday's final in Yokohama. Madrid faces Mexican team Club America in the other semifinal.

European teams have been the most successful in the tournament, with eight titles, although it is not considered as high on the priority list for European clubs as it is for the South American sides.

Atletico Nacional features goalkeeper Franco Armani, who did not concede a single goal during the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, as well as captain Alexis Henriquez and striker Miguel Borja.

"We are representing all the clubs of South America and it is a huge responsibility on our shoulders," Rueda said. "Back in Colombia and even here in Japan many people are supporting us and that give us great energy."