India jumps four places, first time in three months

New Delhi, June 13 (UNI) For the first time in three months, India moved up four places to 161st in the latest FIFA rankings issued today.

India, who remained stuck in 165th spot since March rankings, had not played any international 'A' level matches in the past one month to add to its current 76 points.

The gain in four places, which also saw India moving up one place to 31st among Asian countries, could be due to poor showing of some countries which were earlier ahead of it in the previous month rankings.

India is ahead of Bangladesh (172nd), Pakistan (178th) and Nepal (182nd) but below Maldives (157th) and Sri Lanka (159th), according to information received here.

Among Asian Confederation countries, Japan (40th) gained four places to dethrone Iran (47th) from top, who slipped six places.

Australia (48th), who lost six places, is at third, South Korea unchanged at fourth, followed by Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia at fifth and sixth respectively.

Meanwhile, World champions Italy retained the top spot for the second successive month while a pair of victories in EURO 2008 qualifiers saw France climb two spots to second place at the expense of Brazil which is third, down one place from previous month.

Germany reached its highest position in more than four years at fourth while Argentina is down two places to fifth.

England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Czech Republic and Spain are unchanged at sixth to tenth positions.

UNI