Singapore moved up four spots in the latest FIFA rankings, but failed to bridge the gap on neigbours Malaysia, who rose by the same margin. On back of their 0-0 draw away to Bahrain in AFC Asian Cup qualifying, Singapore went from 163rd to 159th. At the same time, Malaysia climbed to 157th after being 161st in March. However, both nations are well below their average position since the FIFA rankings began, with Singapore currently 43 spots worse off than their 120th and Malaysia 37 runs inferior to their mean position of 130th. Both are below the likes of Hong Kong, Chad and Tahiti. Philippines fell three spots but remain Southeast Asia's top-ranked nation at 127th. In fact, the majority of ASEAN nations tumbled down the table. Thailand fell from 127th to 129th, Indonesia slumped from 167th to 175th, while Laos (174th) and Timor-Leste (195th) both dropped one place. But Myanmar rose six spots to 166th and Cambodia remained unchanged at 173. Iran were the top-ranked Asian nation at 28th, followed by South Korea (43rd) and Japan (44th) and Australia (50th), as 10 AFC nations made the top 10. India, at 101st, made a stunning jump of 31 places, based on improved form under coach Stephen Constantine. North Korea, Malaysia's Asian Cup qualifying opponents on June 8, rose six spots to 115th. Singapore will host 161st-ranked Chinese Taipei in their next Asian Cup qualifier on June 10.
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