Rise in ranking good for the sport: Bhutia

India were ranked 132 last month, and the jump is attributed to a string of good performances. At 101, India have achieved their third best ranking (with a high of 94 in February 1996, 99 in 1993, 100 in 1993 and 1996 and 101 in April 1994). The latest ranking has also elevated India to becoming the 11th ranked team in Asia. 

Including winning an unofficial international match against Bhutan, India have been victorious in 11 of their last 13 matches (with a 6-1 win against Laos, 3-0 against Bhutan and 4-1 against Puerto Rico, notably being the best wins). India have also beaten Myanmar in an Asian Cup qualifier, for their first win over the neighbouring nation. 

Former Indian captain and football’s flag-bearer for a decade Baichung Bhutia said the meteoric rise is good for the game in the country. “It (ranking) is very important. People in the country, always weigh a team according to their ranking. When we climb up the ladder, it does give a boost for the game and for our players,” Bhutia told DTNext.

Bhutia was soon to add that ranking does not always give us a clear picture of where the team stands. “It is not always that numbers give you a credible picture of how the team is performing. Although we are ranked higher than Iran, Wesaw how our club (Bengaluru FC) were completely outclassed by an Iraqi club (Al Quwa Al Jawiyain) the AFC Cup final. So, it is important to an extent that we keep doing the right things and it is over a period of time, we can see the complete transition,” the former Indian captain added. 

Currently, India share the 101st spot with three other countries — Nicaragua, Lithuania and Estonia and undoubtedly Stephen Constantine (India’s head coach) can be credited for the turnaround. Constantine was India coach from 2002 till 2005, during which the national team won the LG Cup in Vietnam and finished runner-up in the Afro-Asian Games. The Englishman later guided Rwanda to the 68th place in world rankings, their best. 

“We should not forget the role the federation has played in organising friendlies and helping the team play the right kind of matches to ensure that the team is benefited. It was complete teamwork and nothing should be taken away from Constantine for the way he has built the team. Every plan was put in place and it is now important that we do not slide from here,” Bhutia added.

But will India ever qualify for the World Cup in the near future? “Well, that is very difficult to say. We have to see how the team performs in the Asia Cup qualifiers. That will give us an idea of where we stand and how we can take Indian football forward,” Bhutia added. 

June would be another turning point in Indian football history. India will play Lebanon in a friendly on June 7 followed by an Asian Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan on June 13. A win will help India breach the 100-mark and at the same time a loss will see India plummet down the ranking ladder. These matches will show if India is worthy of being 101 in the world. 

It would also be horrid for a team that is ranked 11 in Asia if they don’t get past Kyrgyzstan to qualify for the 24-team Asian Cup. June would be the month to watch out for in Indian football.