India static at 157th in FIFA rankings

New Delhi, Feb 14 (UNI) India remained static at 157th even as world champions Italy dethroned Brazil from the top slot in the latest FIFA rankings issued today.

India stuck to its current position for the third successive month beginning from December last rankings and now share its place with Maldives and Laos.

Among Asian nations also, India retained its 32nd spot, according to information received here today.

Meanwhile, world champions Italy ended Brazil's 55-month reign at the top of the chart, a result of the South American country's 0-2 loss to Portugal in a friendly match.

Italy were last top in November 1993, just three months after rankings were introduced by the game's ruling body.

The six teams below Italy and Brazil remain unchanged, with Argentina, France, Germany, England, the Netherlands and Portugal occupying third to eighth spots. Czech Republic and Spain moved up one and two places respectively to occupy ninth and 10th places.

UNI