India slips eight places to 165 in FIFA rankings

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) A 0-3 lost to Iraq in the Olympic qualifiers second phase show India slip eight places to 165th in the latest FIFA rankings issued today.

India are now placed just below little known Solomon Islands and Andorra and ahead of Lesotho.

Eastern neighbours Bangladesh are 10 spots ahead while Pakistan are placed five places below India.

India also lost two places from previous month's 32nd among Asian countries headed by Iran (34th overall), according to information received here today.

In the overall list, Argentina took the top spot for the first time, dethroning world champions Italy whose reign at the top of the table lasted just a month.

Argentina climbed tow places from third partly as a result of their 1-0 win over France in February and partly because older results have expired and are no longer used for the points evaluation.

Brazil, leaders for four and a half years until January, slipped to third. There were no other changes in the top 10.

UNI