The Indian football team achieved its best FIFA ranking since February 1996 as they were placed at No.96 in the latest rankings released on Thursday. In the process, India are currently 12th in Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
India’s best ever FIFA ranking till date stays 94 which was attained in February 1996.
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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 the rankings over the last two years. The team has won 13 of their last 15 matches and are unbeaten in the last eight, including the unofficial match against Bhutan.
The Indian National Football team climbs to 96 on the July @FIFAcom Rankings for Men #BackTheBlue #IndiaAt96
Read: https://t.co/4NANo3DOsI pic.twitter.com/Cs6J9E7uVO
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 6, 2017
India were ranked 171 when Stephen Constantine took over as national coach for the second time in February 2015 and slipped further to 173 in March 2015.
Congratulating the team, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president 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.”
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With a string of good results, @IndianFootball has seen a rise of 77 places in two years in the FIFA Men’s Rankings #BackTheBlue #IndiaAt96 pic.twitter.com/ElEuhQeuy4
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 6, 2017
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.
“But the present FIFA spot doesn’t mean that we have achieved much. We need to stay focused on the upcoming challenges.”
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INDIA CLIMBS 4 PLACES TO BE RANKED 96 IN THE FIFA JULY MEN’S RANKING. 2nd highest ranking ever. #BackTheBlue #IndiaAt96 pic.twitter.com/Xt3ix0yu2f
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 6, 2017
A qualification spot in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 is what India aims at this moment. That would be India’s second AFC Asian Cup stint in eight years, the last being in Doha in 2011.
Source: HindustanTimes