India cling to 165th, free fall for South Asian neighbours

New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) India remained static at 165th but to its credit was the only South Asian country which survived a free fall in the latest FIFA rankings issued today.

India, however, lost six points from previous month's total to share 165th spot with Laos, but all its neighbours experienced downslide by several places.

While Sri Lanka lost 13 places to be at 160th, Bangladesh dropped 21 places to occupy 176th and Pakistan fell by 14 spots to finish at 184th, according to information received here today.

Meanwhile, world champions Italy is back at the top, with their 2-0 win over Scotland in the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers, bringing Argentina's one-month reign to an abrupt halt.

The result was also due to Argentinians non action since the last edition of the rankings. Brazil are third followed by France and Germany in the top five.

The Netherlands, Portugal, England, Spain and Czech Republic complete the top ten.

Cameroon (13th) gained five places to head the list of African nations, followed by Ivory Coast (25th) and Nigeria (27th).

Among the Asians, Iran (42nd) alomost lost top place to Australia (43rd) after dropping eight places though the Kangaroos also lost three spots. Japan (46th) and South Korea (51st) are at third and fourth.

UNI