A perfect century, and the Indian fans are rejoicing their hearts out.
A typical news bulletin during an Indian cricket innings would read something like that, but today it is the Indian Football team, whose brilliant century is the centre attention for sport fans all across the country. After 21 long years, the Indian Football Team has broken into the Top 100(they are ranked 100) of the FIFA Rankings, a very potent indication of the upwards movement of the national side.
The last time India were ranked in the top 100 was in February 1996, when India attained its highest ever FIFA ranking of 96. Things have gone down ever since, but today is a day of marked celebration, as the Blue Tigers continue their upswing in the international circuit.
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India was ranked 101st when the April rankings were released and with no fixture scheduled for the month of May, India had to be dependent on Malawi’s showing against Madagascar to jump break into the top 100. And Malawi obliged by losing both their African Nations Championship qualifiers against Madagascar, to help push India into the famed top 100.
With no fixtures scheduled for the month of May, it looks like India could bow out of the top 100 soon enough, but two easy games against Lebanon and Kyrgyz Republic in June, could resurrect India’s ranking again.
Stephen Constantine needs to be credited for this recent surge in the Indian football scene, as he has pumped in some fresh blood into the Indian setup, and has given the players the freedom to express themselves on the pitch. Tactics though haven’t been very refreshing, but have brought in the desired results.
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With India’s FIFA Ranking soaring and the U-17 FIFA World Cup being held in India, it just feels like the football revolution in India is set to take off(or maybe it already has). Hop on, it’s going to be an amazing ride.
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