Azkals remain SEA No. 1

MANILA, Philippines - Despite missing out on the coveted title in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, the Philippines maintained its position as the top Southeast Asian nation in the yearend world ranking of the International Football Federation (Fifa).

In the December 2014 ranking released by the Fifa yesterday, the Pinoy booters found themselves at 130th overall  –  two notches down from their previous standing in the monthly listing but still enough to put them at No. 1 among Asean bets at the end of the year.

Phl’s footballers outranked Vietnam (137th), Myanmar (141st) and Suzuki Cup finalists Thailand (142nd) and Malaysia (154th) as well as ex-champ Singapore (157th), Indonesia (159th), Laos (160th), Cambodia (179th), Timor Leste (185th) and Brunei (198th).

The Dec. 18 ranking reflected the Azkals’ 0-0 draw with Thailand in the first leg of the Suzuki Cup semis last Dec. 6 at Rizal Memorial, which earned them 47.60 points, as well as their 0-3 setback to the War Elephants in the semis’ second leg last Dec. 10 and the 1-3 loss to Vietnam in the last game of Group A in Hanoi last Nov. 28.

The Azkals would have wanted to validate their status as the top-ranked nation by lifting the Suzuki Cup trophy but fell short following that sorry loss to the Thais.

As things stand, the War Elephants inched closer to a record fourth Asean crown after scoring a 2-0 victory over Malaysia Wednesday night in the first leg of the finals at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok.

Charyl Chappuis cashed in on his penalty kick at the 72nd minute while Krokriet Thawikan, who killed the Azkals with a brace in the semis, made good on Chanathip “Messi J” Songkrasin’s delivery with an 86th minute goal as the Thais’ tiki-taka football put them on the cusp of greatness.