DESPITE its disappointing exit in the 2016 Suzuki Cup, the Philippines national team was able to hold on to the top of the latest Fifa Rankings for Asean Zone which came out on November 24.
The Azkals, ranked 12th in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and 117th in the world, has a total of 289 points followed by Vietnam (No.18 in AFC and No.129 in the world). Both climbed seven notches from their previous rankings.
Meanwhile, Suzuki Cup defending champion Thailand has the biggest leap with 17 notches to be at No. 3 in the Asean Zone and No. 19 in the AFC. The Thais tied Vietnam in the world.
Occupying the fourth and fifth spots in the Asean Zone are Malaysia and Singapore. Malaysia also ranked 29th in the AFC and 156th in the world. Singapore ranked 31st in AFC and 162nd in the world.
Myanmar, positioned at No.6 in the Asean, suffered the biggest drop in the world ranking with 10 notches. Indonesia was on status quo at No. 9 after its suspension by the world’s governing body last year.
Completing the Asean Zone ranking are Brunei Darussalam and Timor-Leste at 10th and 11th, respectively. (HGD)