Indian Women's football team reach calendar high rank in latest FIFA rankings

The Indian Women’s football team has reached a calendar high of 56 in the FIFA rankings released today. Earlier, when the rankings were released previously this year, the Indian team was placed 60th.

FIFA releases its rankings for the women’s teams every three months. As such, the next rankings will be released in December. However, this four-place jump is certainly encouraging and the team under the guidance of Maymol Rocky is certainly performing well.

Earlier this year in July, the Indian team defeated Malaysia 2-0 in a friendly. Substitute Pyari Xaxa scored both the goals and India exerted their dominance throughout the match. A clear team spirit was visible in both halves of the game as India turned the barren scoreline from the first half to end the game on a high.

India is the 13th best team in Asia. The list is headed by the strong sides of teams like USA and Germany retain the top two spots. England, on the other hand, climbed two places to occupy the third spot.

Among the teams of the Asian Football Confederation, Australia, Japan and Korea DPR are placed at the leading positions.

Indian Women's Team rise to 56 in @FIFAcom rankings #ShePowerhttps://t.co/G0fyV8CkBY pic.twitter.com/867elH9Xpt

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 1, 2017

Immediately above India are Peru and Israel. In this part of the list, the competition is clearly visible as the difference in points gets lesser and lesser as you move down the list.

The AIFF’s official website today included a congratulatory note from both the team’s coach and the General Secretary of the AIFF, Kushal Das.

Citing this latest climb as a massive validation for prolonged efforts, coach Maymol Rocky said, “We’ve seen successes as well as have faced quite a few tough competitions of late.”

“The rise in FIFA Rankings reflects our hard work which is being put in by the team relentlessly. 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.”

Kushal Das, on the other hand, wrote, “Development of women’s football is one of our priorities and it’s heartening to see the women’s team rise in FIFA Rankings. Congratulations.”

It is certainly hoped that the team will be able to improve on their ranking come December.