KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 ― The national football squad (Harimau Malaya) closed the 2013 calender with an improvement of its ranking to 154th place in the world.

The latest ranking which was issued by FIFA today meant the squad under Datuk K Rajagopal had moved four steps up compared to its 158th position last month.

In January, the Harimau Malaya were 158th followed by 159th in February, 164 (March), 163 (April), 161 (May) 159 (June and July), August (162), September (161) and October (160).

The latest position saw the squad grouped with Liechtenstein, Puerto Rico and India.

Among South East Asian nations, Malaysia, however, dropped two steps to seventh place behind Philippines (127), Myanmar (130), Vietnam (144), Thailand (146), Singapore (150) and Laos (152).   

At the Asian level, Malaysia went up one notch to 30th out of 46 nations.

Meanwhile, 2013 Confederation Cup runners up, Spain continued to retain its status as the best team in the world by collecting 1,507 points while Germany and Argentina retained their positions in number two and three, respectively.

Germany and Argentina, each, collected 1,318 points and 1,251 points. The FIFA ranking involved 209 nations. ― Bernama