Sport

Following Bhubaneswar & Bengaluru Triumphs, India Up To No. 99 In FIFA Rankings

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: The Indian football team rose to No. 99 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings.

This is the first time since 2018 that Sunil Chhetri & Co. have been ranked below 100.

The team, coached by Croatian World Cup star Igor Stimac, has been making steady progress over a period couple of years.

They won two tournaments recently – Intercontinental Cup in Bhubaneswar and SAFF Championship in Bengaluru – which helped the Indians climb steadily in world rankings from 106 in March to double figures now.

The Hangzhou Asian Games, which will bring together the continent’s top teams, is coming up next, but the Indian team may not get the clearance from government to take part as it’s not among the top 8 teams of Asia.

Hence Stimac, desperate to see his men facing tough tests, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure India’s trip to China.

Under Stimac, the players’ fitness has improved significantly which has led to a rise in performance level through attacking football.

Chhetri, who seems to be getting better with age, remains a vital element in Team India’s plans.

At 38 the oldest member of the team by some distance, Chhetri has taken his tally to 85 goals in 133 international matches. He scored in the Intercontinental Cup final against Lebanon and fired a hat-trick against Pakistan in the SAFF meet.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

IPL Auction: KKR Break Bank For Venkatesh On Lucrative Day For Indian Players; Check Top Buys

Mumbai: The first day of the IPL mega player auction at Jeddah threw up several…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024

Odisha DGP Reviews Security Arrangements For President’s Visit To Puri

Puri: Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday reviewed the security arrangements for…

November 24, 2024