MTFSA divisions decided after last circuit event
Aquilina beats Mifsud in final
The last circuit event held by the MTFSA this season determined the players rankings for all three divisions ahead of the national championship to be played in May.
The circuit competition included six groups with 19 players taking part. The top six were seeded according to the local ranking list.
After the group qualification, direct elimination led straight to the final.
At the first KO stage, Stefan Pace and Ilai Zammit lost to Joe Borg Bonaci and Kenneth Attard respectively. Hansel Mallia, Joe Mifsud, Charles Aquilina and Bonaci all had the better of Samuel Bartolo, Attard, Derek Conti and Mark Gauci in the quarter-finals with the last four players challenging for a berth in the final.
For the second time this season, Mallia and Mifsud faced each other in the semis with Mifsud obtaining the same result as the previous encounter - 1-0 in his favour - and a place in the final.
On the other hand, Aquilina required an extra-time goal to eliminate Bonaci and make sure of a place among the top eight in the rankings.
The final was a tight affair with Aquilina leading 3-1 at one stage of the match.
However, Mifsud's determination and prompt reaction saw him scoring two quick goals to level the scores on 3-3.
With the match closing down, Aquilina scored a late winner following an own goal for a dramatic finale to the contest.
After this competition, the national league divisions will be composed as follows:
Premier Division - Joe Mifsud, Derek Conti, Mark Gauci, Charles Aquilina, Hansel Mallia, Samuel Bartolo, Joe Borg Bonaci, Ilai Zammit Marmara.
First Division - Kenneth Attard, Massimo Cremona, Adrian Bonnici, Stefan Pace, Josef Camilleri, Andrew Ellul, Joe Zammit Pavia, Mark Zammit.
Second Division - Mario Camilleri, Vince Mifsud, Mauro Camilleri, Angelo Borg, Jean Carl Tabone, Darren Bezzina, Timothy Spiteri, Brandon Farrugia.