FIFA Rankings: India rise to 150

India will host Palestine in two friendlies in October

India moved up one spot to 150 in the FIFA Rankings according to the latest release, which came out on Thursday. They share that spot with Europe’s Malta and are now 26th in the Asian Rankings.

The SAFF Championship 2013 runners-up played their only match of this calendar year on March 5, which was a FIFA match date. They came from behind to hold lower-ranked neighbours Bangladesh 2-2 at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao, Goa.

India had dropped to 154th in June but rose to 151st in July. They remain third in the subcontinent behind Maldives, who are 145th while SAFF 2013 winners Afghanistan are placed 129th.

The next FIFA match dates are in September but the India senior side won’t be in action due to the participation of the under-23 team in the Asian Games.

However Wim Koevermans’ side will face 2014 AFC Challenge Cup winners Palestine, who are placed 88th in the world and tenth in Asia, on October 6 and 9 with Siliguri’s Kanchenjunga Stadium expected to be the venue. The next release of the FIFA Rankings is scheduled for September 18.