India's FIFA ranking to shoot further up in October; close in on Yemen, Oman, North Korea

THE INDIAN NATIONAL TEAM is set for a major jump in the latest FIFA rankings this month, as the fruits of labour that the Blue Tigers have put in over the last year and a half begin to realize.

Early last month, in a historic occasion at the Mumbai Football Arena, India faced a Latin American country for the first time when they played Puerto Rico, much higher in the FIFA rankings at that time, and came out 4-1 winners. The match had significant repurcussions on the rankings because it was rare for India to play and beat a team ranked above 150. 

This was the 9th win Constantine's boys tasted in the last 11 games; thanks to their perfect record in the SAFF Championship and beating Laos twice in Asian Cup Qualifiers (3rd Round) playoffs. After back to back losses in the World Cup Qualifiers, this was a major turnaround of form and slowly served to boost India's position in the FIFA rankings.

Last month's rankings saw India progress to the 148th place. This time, when the rankings come out on 20th October, ranking prognosis suggests India will leap 11 places ahead to occupy the 137th spot in the ladder. This is the Blue Tigers' best rank in the last 4-5 years, and represents a 36-spot increase from the embarrassing low of 173 in March 2015.

This will be a significant boost because it places India among countries who till recently were considered to be miles ahead in terms of quality. India will surpass the likes of Hong Kong and Puerto Rico, and get close to Yemen (132nd in October) and Oman (130 in October) who beat India in the World Cup Qualifiers. Korea DPR, who played in the 2010 World Cup, will be placed 126th.

The Indian team is currently out of action because the ISL does not pause for international breaks. But once I-League kicks off on January, India are likely to play international friendlies and hold preparatory camps before the 3rd round of the Asian Cup Qualifiers kicks off in March. A few well-organized international friendlies against countries with higher ranks will further accelerate India's progress up the FIFA ranking ladder. 

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