Timeline of Phumirapee Siribunyakul’s life, from substitute to main goalkeeper, winning runner-up in the 104th National High School Football Championship in Japan.
On 12 January 2026, although Kashima Gakuen, the school of Phumirapee Siribunyakul, Thailand U17 national team goalkeeper, missed the championship by losing 0-2 to Kamimura Gakuen in the final of Japan’s 104th National High School Football Championship, Phumirapee won the hearts of Thai fans nationwide with his impressive saves throughout the tournament, including a crucial penalty save in the final.
Here is the very interesting timeline of “Phumirapee”’s life.
- As a child, he started playing as a midfielder and forward, idolizing Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić. Later, in late primary school, he had to switch to goalkeeper because the team lacked one.
- He then tried out for Assumption Thonburi, inspired by Kawin Thamsatchanan, the former Thai national team goalkeeper who graduated from there.
- He traveled to Japan as a representative of the Thai youth national team to compete in the U12 Youth World Championship, leaving a strong impression of Japan’s disciplined football system.
- His playing opportunities were very limited, with very little game time from grade 6 through grade 9.
- Later, he joined Muangthong United to play in the youth league, but overall opportunities remained scarce. After consulting with senior figures, he was advised to go to Japan for its excellent youth system, though he initially preferred South Korea due to its many top Asian goalkeepers.
- In February 2024, he decided to go to Japan and took entrance exams for Kashima Gakuen High School after consulting a Japanese study guidance center and a Japanese language school. He took exams in Japanese, math, and English; he failed the first round but passed on the second. He also had to try out for the football team. Initially, he admitted the pace of football in Japan was very fast. He looks up to Chanathip Songkrasin as an idol in Japan.
- He got his first chance to play as goalkeeper when the first-choice keeper broke a finger and the second-choice was ill. Although they lost 0-8 to FC Tokyo, it was a positive sign as he gained playing time and gradually became the main goalkeeper.
- He earned the opportunity to guard the goal for Thailand U17 at the 2025 Asian Championship under coach Jadet Meelarp.
- He led Kashima Gakuen to the final of the 104th National High School Football Championship in Japan, becoming the first Thai to do so. Although finishing as runner-up, Thai fans praised his performance, decision-making, and composure beyond his years.
- His goal from now on is to play professionally in the J.League.