Chapecoense win first match since air disaster

Fans of Chapecoense are pictured before a charity match between Chapecoense and Palmeiras. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian Serie A club Chapecoense have won their first competitive match since the November plane crash that killed most of their players and coaching staff.

The team affectionately known as Chape overcame Internacional de Lages 2-1 in the first round of the Catarinense state championship before a capacity crowd at their Conda Arena on Sunday.

It followed draws against Palmeiras and Joinville in the past week.

"Our aim was to make the fans feel happy again," Chapecoense coach Vagner Mancini said.

"To have their support today and feel their affection is very important. The roar after the second goal was intense and gave everybody a lift.

"It was an assured performance and we had more chances than Internacional, but in my opinion we were a bit inconsistent. We need more matches to iron out our problems."

Seventy-one people died, including 19 Chapecoense players, when the LaMia plane carrying the Brazilian club's squad slammed into a hillside near Medellin, Colombia.

The tragedy occurred just two days before Chapecoense were due to play Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final.