Seventeen-year-old Thai-born goalkeeper Poomraphee Siribunyakul played a key role in guiding Kashima Gakuen High School from Ibaraki Prefecture to its best-ever runner-up finish at the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament. Despite losing the final to Kamimura Gakuen High School, the team showed remarkable defensive solidity throughout the competition.
The All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, which ran from December to January, saw Kashima Gakuen High School make its debut appearance in the championship match. Thai-born goalkeeper Poomraphee Siribunyakul was instrumental in the team's solid defense, which allowed just two goals across four matches from the first round to the quarterfinals. This propelled the Ibaraki Prefecture school to the semifinals for the first time in 17 tournaments, equaling its previous deepest run.
In the final against Kamimura Gakuen High School, the 17-year-old Poomraphee made several crucial saves, including stopping a first-half penalty. Despite these efforts, Kashima Gakuen fell short and settled for runner-up. Before the event, the team was not seen as a top contender, making their achievement all the more notable.
Reflecting on the experience, Poomraphee said, "It was a great experience for me." This performance marks a milestone for Kashima Gakuen and highlights the impact of players with diverse backgrounds in Japanese high school soccer.
