News / Sports

Iran moves up two places in April 2016 FIFA rankings

Saturday, 09 April 2016 12:19 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 09 April 2016 12:18 PM ]

Iranian men's national football team

The national Iranian football team has climbed two places in the April edition of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) rankings to land in the 42nd spot in the world, and remained in the throne of being the best Asian squad.

According to the latest monthly rankings released by the world football's governing body on Thursday, the Iranian team racked up 672 points.

Australia moved up 17 spots to the 50th slot in the latest FIFA rankings with 601 points. The Aussies are followed by Taegeuk Warriors and Samurais, who occupy the 56th and 57th spots respectively with 579 and 577 points.

The Argentines remain the top-ranked football team in the world with 1,532 points.

Belgians collected 1,352 points to claim the second position, while third-placed Chileans accumulated 1,348 points. Colombia stands fourth with 1,337 points.

The national Iranian football team defeated Oman 2-0 in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on March 30 to top Group D with 20 points and advance to the final stage of 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Azmoun found the back of the net with two headers in the 16th and 23rd minutes.

“We showed a good performance in the first half and we could have scored more goals but our players wasted their chances,” manager of Iran national team Carlos Queiroz said in the post-match news conference.

“We controlled the possession in that game and didn’t allow Oman to create just a chance. I dedicate this victory to the Iranian football fans as well as the players who were awesome in the group stage,” the 63-year-old Portuguese coach added.

The draw for the third round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where 12 teams will be split up into two groups and the top two from each qualify to Russia event, will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 12.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has joined Austria in Pot 1 of seedings for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers final round draw.

While Pot 2 consists of South Korea and Japan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan are in Pot 3.

The United Arab Emirates is drawn with China in Pot 4, and Qatar plus Iraq form Pot 5. Syria and Thailand are in Pot 6.

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