2010 Boys Youth African Nations Volleyball Championship: Morocco nails down victory against host South Africa
South Africa is honoured to host the exciting volleyball event this year. The chilly city of Cape Town has been the centre of action, as the Boys Youth African Championship has hit the town. The volleyball-stroke will carry on through 13-20 September, 2010.
The host nation clashed with visiting team from Morocco in the second match of opening day. Unfortunately the local fans didn’t get a chance to celebrate their team’s victory, as South Africa lost the match. Nonetheless, a great performance was witnessed
by the spectators. The match was a complete thriller of five sets. The suspense and anxiety prevailed on the scene until last moments of the match. Morocco was in great shape and enjoyed victory over host team. They claimed 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-23,
and 19-17) win over South Africa.
The success in opening encounter put the winning team in jubilation mode. South Africa had defeated Moroccan team in the African Youth Olympics Qualification matches, which were held in Durban this year. So the uncontrolled display of joy and emotions was
a sweet revenge for Morocco. They returned the same score to South-Africa in the on-going Boys Youth African Championship. The host team had the advantage of native fans and familiar environment but Moroccans shocked them with a far better game.
First Set
Since the start of first set, Moroccan team made huge impact in the game. The home-ground players had a hard time to comprehend the challenger’s strategy. Moroccan spikers delivered amazing shots, which cruised past African players’ hands. The scoreboard
hit 5-1 in early minutes of the game. The Cape Town fans were not happy with the devastating start of their team. The expectations were high and African team was urged to score some points.
Carlo van Nelson and Miles Thompson of S.A worked out good spikes and helped team’s score rise up. The skipper Dean Layter played his role and kept the team on right track. Gradually the game turned in their favour and they were able take a lead of 16-13
on Morocco. The fans were thrilled in their seats and screamed out their lungs in the support of their team.
On the other hand, Morocco was not ready to lose its grip on the game. They answered back the African strike and came-up with a barrage of well executed attacks. In the hour of need, Robin Wessels of S.A. jumped in and demonstrated incredible blocking, which
subdued Moroccan assault. S.A. maintained the lead and finally sealed the first set by hitting 25-23 on the points’ counter.
Second Set
The second set was full of ball reception errors from both sides. The game progressed with an average speed. Moroccans continued with their attack attempts and managed to level the game-score (1-1) by winning the second set.
Third Set
The teams battled the third set with long rallies. The exchange of commanding shots was the hallmark of third set. The host team sparked again and built a lead. The uproar of fans put a new soul in African players and they paved their way to the success.
Moroccans lost the set with a margin of five points and S.A. was again in authority.
Fourth Set
The fourth set brought a major blow for S.A. as the star-player Marshllino Jullies made an exit from game due to calf injury. It adversely affected the team performance and the home-side was down with a deficit of 14-21. Dean Layters and other boys put up
a great fight but couldn’t bring the good status for team. Morocco availed every single opportunity and grabbed a breath-taking 25-23 triumph over South Africa.
Final Set
The final set was a full of fury, as both teams staged a stand-up-fight. The score was tied at 12-12 and 17-17 but Morocco made a difference and finished the set by getting a kill. They polled 19-17 in final set and won the match.
Tags: