FAR Win Five-Set Thriller Against CODM Meknes 3-2

On a dramatic night in Meknes, sports fans were treated to one of the most thrilling volleyball matches of the Moroccan Super League season. CODM Meknes hosted FAR Rabat on January 25, 2020, and after five intense sets, it was FAR who emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline (25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 21-25, 15-12).

The match had everything—lead changes, momentum swings, and moments of individual brilliance. Both teams demonstrated why they are respected names in Moroccan volleyball, but it was FAR who managed the decisive final set better to claim the extra precious point.

Match Overview

FAR Rabat started the match with clear intent. Their serve aggressively targeted CODM’s left side, creating early errors and allowing FAR to take the opening set 25-23. It was a tight set, but FAR’s control in the decisive points gave them the edge.

CODM Meknes dug deep in the second set. Making adjustments in their serve receive, they began passing better and gave their outside hitters more opportunities to attack in transition. They leveled the match with a 25-23 win of their own, setting up a gripping encounter ahead.

The Turning Point in the Third Set

The third set was an absolute war. Neither side could establish a lead bigger than two points, and the scoreboard passed through multiple deuce situations. CODM Meknes had set point twice at 24-23 and 25-24, but FAR’s composure in the clutch was remarkable. A pair of massive blocks and a clever tip over the block secured the set for FAR at 27-25—a moment that looked crucial for their chances.

But CODM refused to fade. In the fourth set, they went back to their strongest weapon—their middle attack. CODM’s setter fed his middle blockers repeatedly, and they responded by scoring at will. Combined with improved defensive reads, CODM dominated the later phase of the set to take it 25-21, sending the match to the deciding set.

Fifth Set Drama

The fifth set to 15 points started evenly. Both teams traded points through the sideouts, with small errors carrying extra weight. At 8-6 in favor of FAR, the team from Rabat used a well-timed timeout to calm down. After the restart, they took the next two points through sharp attacks from their star opposite hitter.

CODM Meknes showed heart to pull within one at 12-11, but FAR closed the match with a 3-1 run, sealing the set 15-12 and securing the full victory in one of the season's most memorable fixtures.

Standout Players

• Zakaria Amrani (FAR): The opposite hitter was sensational, scoring 24 points through a mix of power and precision. His performance in the third set, when FAR needed him most, was particularly crucial.
• Youssef Bensaid (FAR): The middle blocker contributed 8 blocking points, several of them coming at key momentum moments.
• Mahdi Alaoui (CODM Meknes): Led the home team with 20 points and showed exceptional leadership in the fourth-set revival.

Impact on the Standings

This thrilling five-set victory allowed FAR Rabat to keep chasing the league leaders, adding two vital points to their Super League account. CODM Meknes, though disappointed, took some encouragement from pushing a top team to the limit, especially after their impressive fourth-set performance.

Matches like this are exactly what makes volleyball so compelling—a combination of athleticism, strategy, and pure heart. FAR’s ability to win the crucial points in the tiebreak showed their title pedigree, while CODM proved they are more than capable of competing at the highest level.