India tops SAARC, Iraq stole limelight

Asian champions Iraq had a marvelous 16 position climb up

Male', MALDIVES - India tops SAARC region in FIFA’s recently revealed August ranking with an 11 place jump from their July position. India, who are in full gear for this year’s SAFF Championship, are now at 151st position in FIFA/COCA-COLA World Ranking. India also gained 25 points to reach the target.

Maldives, though ended up as the second in the region, managed to get no points and the ranking dropped one place to land at 7 positions behind India at 158th.

Arch rivals Sri Lanka managed to hold on close to Maldives at 159 with 85 points, 2 points less than Maldives.

Other neighbours are far behind as fourth placed Bangladesh ended up at 176, which is a four position behind their July ranking. Pakistan, who dropped two places compared to July, is at 178th.

Nepal and Afghanistan sit at 183rd and 188th; Bhutan managed to end up at 196th, three positions above the lowest ranked team.

Brazil who are at the top in July managed to hold on with their pride. Meanwhile, newly crowned Asian champions Iraq stole the limelight with a 16 position climb up to land at 64th.

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