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| July 14, 2006 | Friday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 17, 1427 |
Pakistan retains 153rd spot
KARACHI, July 13: Pakistan retained their 153rd spot in the newly-styled FIFA World Rankings where many nations experienced slump, when it was announced by the global football governing body on Wednesday.
Pakistan are one of the biggest movers in the world rankings, who have improved their position from 175th to 153rd within a two-year period.
India suffered a steep fall of 13 places in the latest rankings, the first to be released after the World Cup in Germany.
India, preparing for the Vancouver Whitecaps Nations Cup in Canada under new coach Englishman Bob Houghton, fell from 117th place to 130th in the new standings.
Brazil continue to lead the rankings. But the big gainers are world champions Italy, who have gained 11 spots to second place.
The new format, which was used first time, to decide the rankings take into account performances over the last four years as against the earlier format of assessing eight years' showing. The previous method had attracted criticism indicating that its formula for calculation was too complicated.
Eyebrows were raised when teams like Czech Republic, the United States and Mexico were ranked higher than more established teams.
In the latest rankings, losing World Cup finalists France gained four spots to number four while Argentina, who impressed all with their fluent football before being ousted on penalties in the quarterfinals by Germany, gained six places to number three.Hosts and third-placed Germany climbed 10 places to number nine while England, who reached the last eight gained five spots to number five.
Czech Republic, ranked second before the tournament, fell to number 10.—PPI
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