Philippines players celebrate following the Women’s World Cup Group A football match between New Zealand and the Philippines in Wellington, New Zealand, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/John Cowpland)
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines improved to 44th in the latest women’s world rankings that came following the conclusion of the Fifa Women’s World Cup over the weekend.
Rankings posted on the Fifa website showed the Filipinas moved two spots higher from the previous tally released before the global spectacle for women’s football.
It also put the Philippines as the sixth-best team in Asia and second in Southeast Asia, overtaking perennial regional power Thailand.
Coach Alen Stajcic capped off his Filipinas spell by steering the team to a commendable showing in New Zealand highlighted by a stunning 1-0 win over the co-host in the second game of the group stage.
But a 6-0 loss to Norway in Auckland ended any chances of the Filipinas to sneak a spot in the knockout phase.
Philippines players talk to Canadian referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin, right, after Philippines’ Sofia Harrison, third left, was shown a red card during the Women’s World Cup Group A football match between Norway and Philippines at Eden Park stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, July 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Sweden emerged as the new No. 1 team in the rankings followed by Spain, which won the World Cup after defeating England in Sunday’s final in Sydney, Australia on Olga Carmona’s first-half goal.
The United States dropped from first to third after a shock defeat to Sweden in the round of 16, foiling its quest for an unprecedented third straight World Cup.
Japan emerged on top of the teams under the Asian Football Confederation, moving to eighth from 11th at the expense of Australia despite reaching the semifinals of the World Cup.
Australia, eventually settling for fourth after losing to Sweden in the consolation game, fell from 10th to 11th in the list.
Vietnam, also coming off a maiden World Cup stint, remained as Southeast Asia’s top nation even if it dropped two places to 34th.