Philippine Azkals. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Idle Philippine Azkals moved four spots higher in the first FIFA World Rankings for the year of 2016.
The Philippine men’s national football team improved to 135th after ending the year 139th. The country trails Thailand, who moved 12 places up to 121, as the highest ranked team in Southeast Asia.
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Last seeing action back in November, the Azkals failed to keep their hopes alive in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after losing to Yemen, 1-0.
With the elusive World Cup dream over, the Philippines is now just vying for a spot in the 2019 Asian Cup.
The Azkals face Uzbekistan on March 24 and North Korea on March 29 to wrap up their Group H assignment in the qualifiers.