The fall comes after a disappointing run of results, including the recent loss to Bangladesh, which cost India valuable ranking points. This setback also highlights the growing competition in Asian football, where even small drops in performance can lead to significant ranking changes.

The current ranking serves as a wake up call of the work India must do in upcoming international matches. The team must aim to regain momentum, improve performances on the pitch, and climb back up the standings in the next ranking cycle.

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The post India Falls Six Spots to 142 in Latest FIFA Rankings after Bangladesh defeat appeared first on Football Counter.

NEW DELHI: The Indian National Football Team achieved its best-ever FIFA Ranking since February 1996 as they were ranked 96 in the July FIFA Rankings released earlier today (July 6, 2017). In the process, India is currently placed 12th in AFC.

India’s best-ever FIFA Ranking till date stays 94 which was attained in February 1996 while 99 stayed India’s second-best FIFA Ranking which was also achieved in November 1993.

Indian Football and the National Team have been on an upsurge with a string of good results leading to a climb of 77 places in FIFA Rankings over the last two years. The Team has now won 13 of their last 15 matches and are unbeaten in the last 8 matches (including the unofficial match against Bhutan).

India was ranked 171 when Constantine took over as National Coach for the second time in February 2015 and slipped further to 173 in March 2015 in the FIFA ladder even before Constantine could have his first game in charge against Nepal, which India eventually won 2-0 on aggregate.

Congratulating the Team, AIFF President Mr Praful Patel said: “It’s a giant leap of faith for Indian Football. Two years back, we were 173 and now we have reached our second best FIFA Ranking ever. The leap signifies the potential of Indian Football. Congratulations to the National Team boys, the Coach, the staff and all in AIFF.”

Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation (AIFF), stated: “This comes as a huge boost ahead of our next AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Macau on September 5, 2017. Hats off to the Team for giving it their all in achieving this milestone. Qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 stays our top priority.”

National Coach Stephen Constantine stated: “When I took over, I had mentioned that my target was to bring India below 100. I am happy to have played a small part in this process. Kudos to the boys, the staff and a big thank you to my colleagues in AIFF for supporting us all throughout. I also need to thank Mr Patel and Mr Das for their trust in allowing me to do things in the manner I wanted.”

“But the present FIFA spot doesn’t mean that we have achieved much. We need to stay focused on the upcoming challenges.”

A qualification spot in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 is what the AIFF aims at this moment. That would be India’s second AFC Asian Cup stint in 8 years, the last being in Doha in 2011.

The post India Climb Up To 96 In The Latest FIFA Rankings appeared first on Football Counter.

India’s best position in over a decade

Having won 9 of their last 11 games which includes a 4-1 thumping win over Puerto Rico back in September meant the blue tiger has kept on improving their points tally since last year.

India currently has a total of 243 points, which is higher than their previous figure of 217, propelling them up by six places from the December ranking. On the Asian front, India is now 19^th in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rankings which is topped by Iran, placed 29^th in FIFA ranking. From the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) list, Maldives are placed 145^th, Bangladesh 190^th, Nepal 175^th, Bhutan 176^th, Sri Lanka 196^th and Pakistan 197^th while India continue to dominate the rankings among its neighbors.

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The Top 34 Rankings saw no change as Argentina, Brazil and Germany still holding the top 3 spot. Suriname are the best movers as they jumped 22 places from 150 to 128, just above India while Trinidad and Tobago(83), Mauritania(113), Afghanistan(151) & Bangladesh(190) were all the worst movers losing 5 positions.

AIFF’s target of being in Pot 2 for Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers draw was achieved as the National side has kept on improving in its Ranking, despite playing zero friendly games since September.

The blue tiger’s win over then higher ranked side Puerto Rico combined with reduced values of points from World Cup qualifiers losses and perceptive shrewdness from our football board as ensured that the National side get an easy draw for the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The post India Jump 6 places in January FIFA Ranking appeared first on Football Counter.

On the other hand, India after their recent 4-1 win against the then 114 ranked CONCAF side Puerto Rico gained 4 places to 148 Rank. It has almost been a year since India has broken the 150 rank mark. India jumped one place among AFC countries to be ranked at 26 while among the Countries belonging to SAFF region, it is at no. 1. Puerto Rico, our opponent in the recent concluded international friendly lost about 24 places to be at 138. India will be looking at higher rank next month, as the point’s loss in game against Iran and Turkmenistan around this same time last year will be reduced. According to AIFF, India may not play any more matches this year, due to lack of friendlies the rankings may get effected and so it will interesting to look at the India’s position in FIFA ranking at the end of the year.

Best and Worst Movers

Bolivia was the best movers in the ranking as they jumped 35 places to be stationed at 75th. Central Africa Republic saw the worst drop in ranking as they fell 35 below to be at 122.

Also Read: AFC U-16 Championship: India U-16 boys looking forward to start their campaign on positive note against UAE

NEW FIFA RANKING

The post FIFA Ranking Update: Argentina, Belgium stay in top 2, India Jumps 4 places to 148 appeared first on Football Counter.