FIFA rankings: Indian football team breaks into top 100 for 1st time in 21 years
FIFA world football rankings, released on May 4, saw the Indian football team climbing a spot to be placed 100th alongside Nicaragua, Lithuania and Estonia. India are aiming to qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup.
The Indian men’s national football team has made it into the top 100 of the FIFA world football rankings for the first time in 21 years. This upward movement is the result of away wins against Myanmar and Cambodia.
As per the updated rankings on May 4, India, with a total of 331 points, have climbed a spot and are now placed 100th alongside Nicaragua, Lithuania and Estonia.
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The last time India had been in the top 100 of the rankings was way back in 1996, with the 94th spot in February 1996 being the country’s best ever FIFA ranking.
India’s recent rise in the international footballing ladder has been propelled by wins over Cambodia and Myanmar, both being away ties.
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India had beaten Cambodia 3-2 in Phnom Penh on March 22 in a friendly clash, before edging out Myanmar 1-0 in Yangon on March 28, the latter being a 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying match.
The Stephen Constantine-coached side will next face Lebanon in an international friendly on June 7, ahead of the Asian Cup qualifying clash against Kyrgyzstan on June 13.