India set to break into FIFA top-100 for the first time since 1996

[santos11]

India face the possibility of breaking into the top 100 of the FIFA rankings for the first time in 21 years. India had previously risen to 101 due to their away wins against Cambodia and Myanmar, the latter of which was a qualifier for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. They would have broken into the top-100 had it not been for 97th ranked Bolivia stunning Argentina.

India were only two points behind 100-ranked Malawi. Since India are not playing any football until their match against Lebanon in the month of June, the only way India could rise in the rankings was if Malawi lost to Madagascar in the first leg of their African Cup of nations qualifiers. That is exactly what happened when the 120-ranked Madagascar managed to beat Malavi.

This means that, in the updated rankings that will be released on 4th May, India could replace Malawi in the 100th spot. If that is the case, this will be the fist time that India enter the top-100 since 1996. That was also when India reached their best ever ranking of 94.

Indian football team have been experiencing an upturn in their fortunes in recent years. According winger CK Vineeth, the team’s mentality towards approaching matches has undergone a sea change during their rise in the FIFA rankings.

Since India are not playing any football for the next two months, it is unlikely that they will be able to hold on to this position. It is yet to be confirmed whether India will be hosting or visiting Lebanon for their friendly against the country in June. It will be followed by their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against the Kyrgyz Republic.

http://indianexpress.com/article/sp...op-100-for-the-first-time-since-1996-4633304/

I remember India were ranked in between 160-170 for a long period not too many years ago. Are the standards improving?

 

[Major]

how much affect did that IPL kind of football league helped?

 

[boomboomcheema]

So India will be ranked 99 if everything went according to prediction. Wow, what an achievement.

Ideal sport for India to fall back on as Indian Cricket is about to be finished.

 

[kaayal]

2017 Under 17 football world cup is going to be held in India this October. I hope our infrastructure develop after this major event.

 

[czar]

Can't even recognize any member of the team except Bharat Chettri.

 

[TahirFan]

Smiley Moosa, former South African football player, Resul Pookutty, Oscar award winner and Model Leena Panchal during the live interaction with media and Launched of Football Development Foundation in Mumbai

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On the eve of the final of the football World Cup in South Africa, apartheid-era icon Essop "Smiley" Moosa is glad that everything has gone well so far, but in his life, like in those of many other players of his time, this achievement has brought no change, though there is a sense of pride. Moosa, grandson of a Gujarati immigrant, is the first non-white ever to play for an all-white soccer club in South Africa.

His grandfather — after whom he is named — Essop Moosa migrated to South Africa from Asna in Surat in the 1900s to do business in Pretoria. Moosa was South African Football Federation's best player for three consecutive years — 1972, 1972 and 1974. Recently, he was rated by the Sunday Times newspaper as one of South Africa's 10 best soocer players of all time.

Moosa says in those days he "looked like a white thanks to his fair complexion". But his name was a giveaway, so the manager of a Pretoria-based all-white club, Berea Park, which had hired him, changed his name to Arthur Williams.

So on a November evening of 1972, at Pretoria's Berea Park Stadium, Moosa played as Arthur Williams, a match in which the current India Under-16 coach, Colin Toal, also played for the club. Thirty-eight years later, Toal recalls that Moosa's skills with the ball were scintillating.

The Special Branch of the South African police were soon at the doorsteps of his home in the Indian township of Laudium, after the few coloured and black spectators recognised Moosa. "Soon, everybody came to know it was me," says Moosa. His father, Ismail Moosa, a soccer enthusiast, answered the knock. They asked him and wife Fathima to tell their 19-year-old son with a jet-black hair "to stay in the township" and not to "try it again." Colin Toal told Moosa to ignore the police. Moosa played the next game for the whites only Berea Park. He was arrested and charged for terrorism.

When he got released, the news reached India and he was invited to India to start a soccer development project. Moosa is now an Indian citizen and resides in Mumbai

 

[Rafa]

Smiley Moosa, former South African football player, Resul Pookutty, Oscar award winner and Model Leena Panchal during the live interaction with media and Launched of Football Development Foundation in Mumbai

------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the eve of the final of the football World Cup in South Africa, apartheid-era icon Essop "Smiley" Moosa is glad that everything has gone well so far, but in his life, like in those of many other players of his time, this achievement has brought no change, though there is a sense of pride. Moosa, grandson of a Gujarati immigrant, is the first non-white ever to play for an all-white soccer club in South Africa.

His grandfather — after whom he is named — Essop Moosa migrated to South Africa from Asna in Surat in the 1900s to do business in Pretoria. Moosa was South African Football Federation's best player for three consecutive years — 1972, 1972 and 1974. Recently, he was rated by the Sunday Times newspaper as one of South Africa's 10 best soocer players of all time.

Moosa says in those days he "looked like a white thanks to his fair complexion". But his name was a giveaway, so the manager of a Pretoria-based all-white club, Berea Park, which had hired him, changed his name to Arthur Williams.

So on a November evening of 1972, at Pretoria's Berea Park Stadium, Moosa played as Arthur Williams, a match in which the current India Under-16 coach, Colin Toal, also played for the club. Thirty-eight years later, Toal recalls that Moosa's skills with the ball were scintillating.

The Special Branch of the South African police were soon at the doorsteps of his home in the Indian township of Laudium, after the few coloured and black spectators recognised Moosa. "Soon, everybody came to know it was me," says Moosa. His father, Ismail Moosa, a soccer enthusiast, answered the knock. They asked him and wife Fathima to tell their 19-year-old son with a jet-black hair "to stay in the township" and not to "try it again." Colin Toal told Moosa to ignore the police. Moosa played the next game for the whites only Berea Park. He was arrested and charged for terrorism.

When he got released, the news reached India and he was invited to India to start a soccer development project. Moosa is now an Indian citizen and resides in Mumbai

Are there no permanent quotas for White and Indian players in Bafana Bafana?

 

[big_gamer007]

how much affect did that IPL kind of football league helped?

A lot probably footballers in India are not like cricketers they are normal people and not celebrities.. Imagine the amount of confidence they must have got sharing the dresssing room with Pires, del piero, roberto Carlos, anelka etc.. Then the coaching staff and management of ISL teams is professional compared to what you get at local level so New and better training methods and strategies young players are learning..

To cap it all off the players are getting paid well too so they have financial security compared to before.. ISL is a very very good initiative and I have went to watch 3-4 Delhi matches and the atmosphere was pretty good, the match quality sucked compared to EPL but was pretty good for Indian standards..

Hope it continues to grow and in next 10-15 years we can produce a World Cup team..

 

[santos11]

Can't even recognize any member of the team except Bharat Chettri.

I can't recognize anyone. I think once India qualifies for the WC, these players will become household names.

 

[big_gamer007]

Can't even recognize any member of the team except Bharat Chettri.

I can't recognize anyone. I think once India qualifies for the WC, these players will become household names.

I know it's not as fun as watching IPLor EPL but if you have time try watching next ISL lot of good young Indian talent there..

Also I think you meant Sunil Chhetri not Bharat Chhetri?

 

[czar]

I know it's not as fun as watching IPLor EPL but if you have time try watching next ISL lot of good young Indian talent there..

Also I think you meant Sunil Chhetri not Bharat Chhetri?

Oh sorry Bharat Chettri is a hockey player, got confused.

I was sure it was Chettri though. Only know because he made news while got signed up for some Portuguese league.

 

[Rafa]

A lot probably footballers in India are not like cricketers they are normal people and not celebrities.. Imagine the amount of confidence they must have got sharing the dresssing room with Pires, del piero, roberto Carlos, anelka etc.. Then the coaching staff and management of ISL teams is professional compared to what you get at local level so New and better training methods and strategies young players are learning..

To cap it all off the players are getting paid well too so they have financial security compared to before.. ISL is a very very good initiative and I have went to watch 3-4 Delhi matches and the atmosphere was pretty good, the match quality sucked compared to EPL but was pretty good for Indian standards..

Hope it continues to grow and in next 10-15 years we can produce a World Cup team..

India can qualify within that period only if India hosts the WC and qualify as the host.

Or the World Cup is expanded to accommodate 64 Nations with 15-20 Asian slots.

The tournament has been expanded to 48 teams to accommodate China, maybe they will expand it further to accommodate India in the future.

 

[big_gamer007]

India can qualify within that period only if India hosts the WC and qualify as the host.

Or the World Cup is expanded to accommodate 64 Nations with 15-20 Asian slots.

The tournament has been expanded to 48 teams to accommodate China, maybe they will expand it further to accommodate India in the future.

Mate 10-15 years is when the next generation comes up.. Now they can be utter crap and we can degrade back to 140's ranking or they can be good enough to qualify for the World Cup is anyone's guess.. Most likely it would be somewhere in between but one can hope..

Reasons to be positive are:
1. Young kids are getting inspired by football.
2. With cable TV everywhere and EPL everywhere it's not just cricket but football is gaining popularity.
3. Leagues like ISL and initiatives by FIFA/Nita Ambani and others for promoting football in India..


The main thing we lack to generate interest amongst the masses is a face.. If we can get an Indian face who plays in EPL or La Liga it will be a major boost for football in India.. Lack of role model in every sport apart from
Cricket is hurting us..

 

[JaDed]

BCCI should be worried,better get their act together if not football will take away all the interest at the pace its gaining attraction.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Football will never enjoy the level of popularity among masses in SC as that of Europe.

If a half dozen quality players emerge then they will be poached by Superior leagues in Europe. Then who will watch the inferior version of leagues back home? That's like watching PSL without Afridi and Amir.

Football already has a long established history of club rivalries, a concept which is alien to Asian Football. Now I guess it's too late to form fake city rivalries, they can ape Cricket leagues but they will remain just as the Cricket leagues not intense rivalries like Barcelona /Real Madrid or Arsenal / ManU.

People will continue to watch superior leagues in Europe with Stars from all over the World.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Last 2 years has seen some good progress. Still, not enough people interested in the sport, but ISL should help.

 

[JaDed]

Football will never enjoy the level of popularity among masses in SC as that of Europe.

If a half dozen quality players emerge then they will be poached by Superior leagues in Europe. Then who will watch the inferior version of leagues back home? That's like watching PSL without Afridi and Amir.

Football already has a long established history of club rivalries, a concept which is alien to Asian Football. Now I guess it's too late to form fake city rivalries, they can ape Cricket leagues but they will remain just as the Cricket leagues not intense rivalries like Barcelona /Real Madrid or Arsenal / ManU.

People will continue to watch superior leagues in Europe with Stars from all over the World.

Lol,You don't even know anything about India,Kerala,Goa ,North Eastern states, the burger kids all only watch football in India.

People think cricket is big in Bangalore but when Bangalore plays in National football league,its something on another level similarly for Kerala.

 

[JaDed]

Last 2 years has seen some good progress. Still, not enough people interested in the sport, but ISL should help.

Mate India is a big country just like Haryana loves Wrestling and Punjab its regional sports,hockey many states in India its only about football,they don't have the infrastructure sadly.

 

[Zak_Fan]

Mate India is a big country just like Haryana loves Wrestling and Punjab its regional sports,hockey many states in India its only about football,they don't have the infrastructure sadly.

Right, infrastructure is a big problem in those states. I think we need to realize that genuine football talent would not be coming from conventional sporting centers like Delhi or Mumbai.. but those states that have been neglected to far. We really need to turn our focus there.

 

[kaayal]

Football will never enjoy the level of popularity among masses in SC as that of Europe.

If a half dozen quality players emerge then they will be poached by Superior leagues in Europe. Then who will watch the inferior version of leagues back home? That's like watching PSL without Afridi and Amir.

Football already has a long established history of club rivalries, a concept which is alien to Asian Football. Now I guess it's too late to form fake city rivalries, they can ape Cricket leagues but they will remain just as the Cricket leagues not intense rivalries like Barcelona /Real Madrid or Arsenal / ManU.

People will continue to watch superior leagues in Europe with Stars from all over the World.

Ofcourse people will continue to support their teams in CL, EPL, Laliga, bundesliga, Serie etc but that feeling of having our own team and screaming for it wearing its jersey in the homeground is a whole another level. No matter how much inferior are they to the europeon football, atleast we are trying. That itself is a lot for us fans.

 

[big_gamer007]

Football will never enjoy the level of popularity among masses in SC as that of Europe.

If a half dozen quality players emerge then they will be poached by Superior leagues in Europe. Then who will watch the inferior version of leagues back home? That's like watching PSL without Afridi and Amir.

Football already has a long established history of club rivalries, a concept which is alien to Asian Football. Now I guess it's too late to form fake city rivalries, they can ape Cricket leagues but they will remain just as the Cricket leagues not intense rivalries like Barcelona /Real Madrid or Arsenal / ManU.

People will continue to watch superior leagues in Europe with Stars from all over the World.

Lol come to Delhi and go in any Liverpool or Manchester United screenings you would see people actually care about them more than Indian cricket team.. If India can produce 3-4 players playing in premier league in next 10 odd years people will accept the teams they play for as their own.. On top of that if we can constantly qualify for WC and give a fight in Asian competitions football will soon become a mainstream sport like cricket.. Obviously it can't take over cricket for next 20-25 years but after that there is a high possibility of it overtaking cricket depending on he above factors..

 

[Donal Cozzie]

Have to give India credit they've done a decent job developing football. Friend of mine from the south tells me Kerela is nuts for the sport

If the ISL develops and India invest the profits into infrastructure see no reason they can't play the first 48 team event

 

[santos11]

Obviously it can't take over cricket for next 20-25 years but after that there is a high possibility of it overtaking cricket depending on he above factors..

When ISL generates more revenue than IPL and AIFF generates more revenue than BCCI, we can conclude that Football has gone past Cricket in terms of popularity in India.

Right now it's No contest.

 

[big_gamer007]

When ISL generates more revenue than IPL and AIFF generates more revenue than BCCI, we can conclude that Football has gone past Cricket in terms of popularity in India.

Right now it's No contest.

Not for 20 years atleast, depends on external factors as well..

 

[Bilal7]

Almost the 100th best team in the world. Congratulations.

 

[cr7great]

indian under17 team beat itlay under 17 team by 2-0