The Indian national football team has dropped one spot to 150 in the FIFA rankings after its latest release on Thursday. In Asia, India remain in 25th place.
India jumped up 24 places in March following wins over Chinese Taipei (2-1) and Guam (4-0) in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers, but failed to qualify for the tournament after losing the last qualifying match 1-0 against hosts Myanmar. They haven’t been in action since then and their ranking had dropped by six places in April.
Wim Koevermans’ side could be in action next month against Bangladesh and Pakistan on June 1 and 4 respectively. Both matches are expected to be played at Fulham’s Craven Cottage in West London, but the national federations of the three countries are yet to confirm the fixtures officially.
Following that, India are not scheduled to play any international match until September 10, when they are expected to face Malaysia in an international friendly.
India will also take part in the SAFF Cup, which will be hosted by Nepal, between September 20 and October 2 later this year, but it remains to be seen whether the AIFF sends the senior team or the Under-23 side, like they did in the 2009 edition.
The next release of the FIFA Rankings is scheduled for June 6.