FIFA rankings

The Philippines has dropped four rungs down in the world football rankings released by FIFA, the sport’s world governing body yesterday.

From number 151, the Philippines is now ranked number 154 out of 206 countries.

Among the South-east Asian nations, were ranked higher than Myanmar (161), Cambodia (169), Laos (175), Brunei (199) and Timor Leste (200).

Thailand is the highest ranked among our SEA neighbors being number 120 in the world while Indonesia is 130th, Vietnam is 134th, Malaysia is 144th, and Singapore in 145th.

World Cup champion Spain is still the world’s best footballing country followed by Netherlands, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, England, Uruguay, Portugal, Italy, and Croatia in that order for the top ten.

Many have been surprised to know that the Philippines, which has been quite successful in the international stage recently, has dropped instead of climbed in the rankings.

The points earned by the countries in the rankings are mainly based on the number and results of the international matches played.

The computation of points earned in a game are computed using the formula P = M x I x T x C.

P means points while M means the match result or 3 points for a win and one point for a draw. If a team loses the match, then it gets zero thus, a country that loses gets no point from that match.

I means the importance of the match. For a friendly match, the importance equivalent is 1 point, for a World Cup or Confederation Cup Qualifier it is 2.5, for a Confederation level final competition it is 3, and it is 4 points for a World Cup final competition.

T means the strength of the team, which is based on the Coca-Cola FIFA rankings. The top team in the world has a rank of 200 while those ranked 150th and below are assigned a minimum of 50.

C is the strength of the Confederation. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), where we belong has the lowest with .85.

Spain has a total of 1,857 points while second-ranked Netherlands has 1,702 and Brazil has 1,405.

The Philippines has a total of 104 points.

The more international matches played and won would earn a country more points. It is good that the Azkals are now playing in many international matches as we get to earn points from the games won.

Well, whatever our ranking is, what is important is that we keep on rooting for the national team to help boost the morale of the players and encourage the younger generations to pick up the game and be future members of the national squad.

Someday we’re going to barge into the top 150, and I am positive it won’t be a very long wait before that happens.

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to Fr. Rogel Anecito L. Abais, S.J., who turned a year older yesterday.

Today’s greetings go to my mistah Donald Madarang, Deltan Galeos, and Gwendolyn Eronico-Piansay.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like Dr. Leopold G. Lucero, Charla Pedrigal, and Geraldine Capacite-Consul.

More power to all of you!