India 139 in FIFA rankings

Though India opened its 2006 World Cup campaign with an upset win over Singapore, they slid further, to 139, in the latest FIFA-Coca Cola world football rankings.

In the women's world rankings, India are placed 57th.

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India, who were the 127th-ranked men's team in December, have since dropped 12 places to be ranked just a place above Myanmar with 314 points. Last month, India were ranked 138. This is probably India's worst placing since the rankings were introduced by FIFA in 1993.

Singapore, who lost to India in their opening Asian Zone Group 3 match, are in 108th spot in the list, released yesterday.

Oman, who India will meet in their second qualifying match in Kochi next month, are 66th while Japan, the favourites to win Group 3, are ranked 28.

Japan is the second best team in Asia behind South Korea, who are ranked 23.

Making the biggest jump are new African champions Tunisia, who climbed to 31st (up 14 places). Bronze medal winners Nigeria (21st, up 14) made an equally impressive jump for their highest ranking in almost nine years.

The leaders remain the same, with Brazil (846 points) still ahead of France (828) and Spain (795). Only Mexico (5th) and England (7th) made some upward movement.