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What's the story?
The Indian national football team, in all probability, could get a boost in their FIFA rankings, according to footballrankings.info. With the latest rankings set to be published later today, India could rise to as high as 97 on the charts, a two-place jump for the Blue Tigers, from 99.
In case you did not know...
The men’s rankings are released every month by the governing body of the sport with the updated points of the respective teams.
The Indian team had enjoyed a scintillating 2017 which saw them make a 30-spot leap from the start of the previous year. India finished 2017 in 105th place in the official rankings and went on to better that twice this year – jumping from 105 to 101 and then to 99.
The heart of the matter
Stephen Constantine's men were in sublime form, enjoying an unbeaten streak of 13 matches. However, their streak came to an end when the Blue Tigers were outfought and outplayed in their final AFC Cup qualifiers group stage match against the Kyrgyz Republic on March 27.
India lost the game 1-2 but still finished on top of the group with 13 points. The team have shown immense potential under Constantine’s guidance and look in good shape to finish strongly in the AFC Cup.
What’s next?
The next edition of the rankings will be published on May 17, 2018. With no immediate international fixtures lined up in India’s footballing calendar, it remains to be seen where the Blue Colts will be placed when the next rankings are published.
Author’s take
Despite a slight blip which saw them lose their 13-match unbeaten streak, the team will certainly be hungry to move up the charts.
A rise in the world rankings is always welcome and one hopes it will spur on the players to put their best foot forward in the all-important Asia Cup.
