Indian women's team rises four places in FIFA rankings

MUMBAI: The Indian women’s football team has risen four places to be placed at the 56th spot in the FIFA ranking issued on Friday.

The Indian team is ranked at 13th among Asian Football Confederation countries, sandwiched between Iran and Hong Kong, while Australia tops that list.

A PTI report quotes All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das as saying, “It’s heartening to see the women’s team rise in FIFA rankings and congratulations. Development of women’s football is one of our priorities."

Under new national coach Maymol Rocky, India were able to defeat Malaysia on 31 July, 2017, boosting the ranking profile. "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,” Rocky has been quoted as saying.

“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,” he said.