India slips 13 rungs to 130th in new FIFA rankings

New Delhi, Jul 12 (UNI) Barely days before new coach Bob Houghton kicks off his stint with the team at a four-nation tourney in Vancouver, India suffered a fall of 13 places and slumped to a dismal 130th in the latest FIFA rankings announced today.

The latest rankings, issues after the completion of the World Cup, saw India fall from its 117th place, less than a week before S Venkatesh leads a 20-member side in the White Caps Nation Cup football tournament to be held in Vancouver, Canada, from July 17.

Among the continental neighbours, Sri Lanka slid two places to 138, Bangladesh slipped three to 143 even though Pakistan managed to hang on to its 153rd spot.

At the top of the table, Italy, thanks to their triumph at Berlin, leapfrogged 11 places to the second spot, while France, the other finalist, are four places up to fourth.

Brazil, despite their quarter-final exit, still top the table, while their continental rivals Argentina are up six places to third after making the last eight.

England jumped five places to the fifth rung, while Germany's fluent football not only earned them new admirers but also saw them rising from 19th to ninth.

USA, ranked fifth before the World Cup, fell with a thud at 16th, while the Czechs too slid from second to 10th spot after failing to clear the first hurdle in Germany.

Among others, Switzerland made significant improvement, reaching 13th from their 35th place, while Ukraine occupy the 15th slot, jumping 30 notches in the process. Ghana too made long strides to reach 25th from the previously held 48th position.

Australia's progress to the last 16 stage has also seen them move nine places up the rankings to 33rd.

Top 10: 1. Brazil 2. Italy 3. Argentina 4. France 5. England 6. Netherlands 7. Spain 8. Portugal 9. Germany 10. Czech Republic.

UNI AY HT1928