XtraTime Web Desk: India Football team moved up to 99 in the latest Fifa ranking and came over Oman, Qatar, DPR Korea, New Zealand today. Earlier they were on 102 last month and this will be a big boost for the Blue tigers ahead of facing Kyrgyz Republic in the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier match scheduled to be played at the Dolon Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek on March 27, 2018.
Last year, the Indian team broke into the top-100 three times, rising as high as 96th in July — the second best ever after the 94th place attained in February 1996. But it ended the year at 105th spot.
Among Asian countries, the Indian team is now at 13th spot, above the likes of Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain and North Korea.
Iran (overall 33rd) leads the rankings among Asian countries, followed by Australia (37th) and Japan (55th).
World champions Germany remain on the top of the overall chart, followed by Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, France and Chile.
The Indian team plays their AFC Asian Cup qualifier match against Kyrgyz Republic in Bishkek on March 27. The country has already qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.