“My father was a football player before, but he stopped playing,” said Danuphon. “He wanted me to grow up following this path, and I also liked it, so I started playing football when I was six years old.

“If I can become successful in football to a point where I can play in an international league, I can help to make my family comfortable.”

The midfielder, who plays his club football with Assumption College Thonburi that competes in the Thai League 3 western region, calls the defensive midfielder role his own in the Thailand side.

Unlike earlier iterations of the role that saw the position typified by robust physical players, Danuphon’s traits are more akin to the latest version where the ball playing abilities and being the first instigator of the team’s attack are the definitions of the role.

“In Thailand, I look up to Tanaboon Kesarat, and abroad it’s Sergio Busquets. It’s because I like their playing style which isn’t about aggression despite being in the position of a defensive midfielder.

“How they play looks smooth and simple with a natural aura of dominance of its own that makes me look up to them and try to learn from them.”

Danuphon played a crucial role in Thailand’s qualifying campaign, helping them top Group D after wins against  India, Turkmenistan and Brunei Darussalam.

With Thailand having won the competition in 1998, Danuphon has his eye on the prize as he looks not only to take the Southeast Asian side to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 but also to regain their place at the very top of Asia.

“It’s something we’ve always expected because we’ve been working hard all along. The first thing we hope for is exactly that, to be champions.”