Filipinas rise to world No.46 in latest Fifa rankings
Members of the Filipinas during the launch of its World Cup kits. –PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Filipinas climbed up to a record 46th spot in the latest world rankings which was released a month before the Fifa Women’s World Cup takes place.
Coach Alen Stajcic’s squad moved three places higher from its recent position last March based on performances in the first round of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the Southeast Asian Games.
With its recent jump, the Philippine side is now eighth among nations under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and still third in Southeast Asia behind fellow World Cup participant Vietnam (No. 32) and Thailand (No. 44).
During the period after the March rankings, the Filipinas won all three matches in the initial round of qualifying for the Paris Games at the expense of Pakistan, Tajikistan and Hong Kong in Group E.
In that tournament, the Philippines scored a total of 16 goals and conceded none.
It was the same result in Cambodia, however, as the Filipinas missed out on a semifinal appearance in the SEA Games.
A 1-0 loss to Myanmar was followed by a dramatic win over Malaysia via the same scoreline before defeating eventual gold medalist Vietnam, 2-1, to close the campaign in the regional meet.
The United States, seeking a third straight World Cup title, remains on top of the rankings followed by Germany, Sweden, England, France, Spain, Canada, Brazil, Netherlands and Australia, the top team under the AFC banner.
Japan is second behind Australia among AFC nations, with China in third and South Korea in fourth.
