Malaysia up one rung to 137th in world rankings

PETALING JAYA: The national football team are slowly but surely moving up the ranks under coach Kim Pan-gon.

Two big wins over Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea in Tier 1 friendly action last week saw the Harimau Malaya move up one rung to 137th position in the world ranking.

It is the highest ranking enjoyed by the national football team in 17 years since their previous best of 127th in May 2006.

“In today’s latest update of the FIFA rankings, Malaysia are ranked 137th in the world, successfully moving up one place compared to 138th in the previous update (in April),” said the Football Association of Malaysia in a statement yesterday.

Malaysia garnered 9.44 points from the two wins for their total points of 1091.57.

Malaysia defeated Solomon Islands 4-1 and continued their hot pace by thumping Papua New Guinea 10-0 in two international friendlies last week.

Pan-gon’s side were just one goal short from equalling Malaysia’s biggest win in 1974, when they thrashed the Philippines 11-0.

Harimau Malaya are scheduled to play two more friendly matches in September this year.

China have been confirmed as one of their opponents in September while another team will be finalised soon.

Malaysia will also feature in the Pesta Bola Merdeka in October.

The continued rise in the world rankings will boost the morale of the national senior side as they prepare for the Asian Cup Finals in Qatar in January next year.