Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Iran will head into the 2015 AFC Asian Cup as the continent’s highest ranked side following the release of December’s FIFA ranking.
After a run of strong performances, Team Meli jumped five places to be ranked 51st overall and will no doubt be confident heading into January's tournament.
Japan slipped one place in the overall rankings to 54th which, in turn, saw them sacrifice their number one ranking in Asia.
Both Korea Republic (69) and Uzbekistan (74) remained in the same position, while maintaining their places as the third and fourth ranked sides in the AFC.
The biggest improver from the sides that will compete at the AFC Asian Cup was Jordan who climbed five places overall into 81st which took them to sixth in Asia. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates moved up four places to be the fifth ranked Asian nation.
Asian Cup 2015 host nation Australia improved their ranking by two places to move into 100th overall and 10th in Asia. The Socceroos will be hoping they can defy their ranking and claim their first continental title at their third when they kick off their Asian Cup campaign on January 9.
None of the nation’s bidding for glory at next year’s Asian Cup suffered a dramatic plunge in the rankings. Apart from the Samurai Blue's downward move, Kuwait slipped one place to be 124th overall while DPR Korea fell 13 places to be ranked 150th overall.