Maeno beats off 900 players to win

Wairarapa United striker Kota Maeno beat off 900 players to win the overall player of the tournament award at the national under-19 boys inter-club soccer tourney held in Napier over Labour weekend.
It was a huge honour for the diminutive Rathkeale College student who was a standout performer in a Wairarapa United side which performed above expectations in finishing third in their section, narrowly missing out of qualifying for the semi-finals as a consequence.
Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley has always rated Maeno as a youngster of huge potential and said his Napier efforts were simply further evidence of that.
"He was probably one of the smallest players there but he was one of the strongest as well & he doesn't mind getting involved in the physical stuff," Keinzley said. "He creates as many goals as he scores, that's what is so good about him."
Keinzley said Maeno had made excellent progress in his debut season for Wairarapa United in the Capital premier division competition, a competition which they won before going on to earn promotion to the central league for 2009.
"Even against quality adult players he has the speed and the skills to make an impact, he doesn't shy off anything there either," he said of Maeno. "But as age group players go there wouldn't be many more promising in the country, he's got what it takes to go all the way."