The Indian football team achieved its best ever FIFA ranking in over two decades as it jumped to 101 in the latest list released on Thursday.
This is the team’s best ever ranking since May 1996 — it was ranked 101 then also.
India jumped 31 places from its last rank of 132nd in the previous month.
Following a couple of wins in recent times, India is now ranked 11th in Asia.
The highest FIFA ranking achieved by India ever is 94, which was attained in February 1996. India was ranked 99 in November 1993 and 100 in October 1993, December 1993 and April 1996.
The last couple of years had been fruitful to India as it won 11 of its 13 matches, including an unofficial game against Bhutan, while scoring a total of 31 goals.
India recently posted a 1-0 victory over Myanmar in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers — its first ever in Myanmar in over 64 years.
Before that India’s first win in an encounter in over a decade came when it beat Cambodia 3-2 in an International Friendly.
The 4-1 win at home for India last year against Puerto Rico was also commendable.
“It has been a difficult road. Bringing in new blood and creating competition for places in the team has been a process, and I’m pleased we are moving in the right direction,” India coach Stephen Constantine said.
“It’s been a total team effort. Unless Mr. Patel (All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel) and Mr. Das (AIFF general secretary Kushal Das) allowed me to do the things and the manner I wanted it to be done, this won’t have been possible ever. I also need to thank the support staff for their commitment for the team,” he added.
The Indian team, governed by the AIFF, was ranked 171 when Mr. Constantine took over as national coach for the second time in February 2015. It had slipped further to 173 in March 2015 in the FIFA ladder.
After that Mr. Constantine had his first game in charge against Nepal, which India won 2-0.
Speaking on the achievement, the AIFF chief said: “This is a great achievement and a fruitful reward for the hardwork displayed by the team and the support staff on a regular basis. We at the AIFF look forward to support the team and the coach in their endeavours to ensure sustained growth of Indian football.”
The AIFF general secretary Das added: “The AIFF is committed to providing the best of exposure and facilities for the national team in the form of arranging International Friendlies and preparatory camps. We are delighted to achieve this milestone and hope to display the same character in our coming matches.”
India will next play Lebanon in an International Friendly at home on June 7 before hosting Kyrgyz Republic on June 13 in its next AFC Asian Cup qualifier match.
