Malaysia set to gain immediately after FIFA ranking increase
June 12, 2019
Malaysia is set to gain immediately following their 12-2 victory on aggregate over Timor-Leste yesterday in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
According to a FootyRankings, a twitter account that keeps tabs and analytics on football rankings in Asia, Malaysia stands to move draw pots for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers draw after their massive victory yesterday.
FootyRankings claims that the 5-1 victory by Malaysia yesterday would push Malaysiaá FIFA Rankings even higher than the present 161st, hence putting the Malaysian above Indonesia which is expected to drop in rankings following their 4-1 defeat to Jordan.
Based on their calculations, Malaysia will move three spots in the FIFA Rankings, settling at 159th while Indoensia would drop one spot to occupy number 160th of the FIFA Rankings.
It further explains that “The seeding of the pots will be based on latest FIFA rankings prior to the draw, unless AFC changes this rule. According to our calculation, Malaysia will be ranked 32nd so they will be in pot 4”.
If true, the huge change in Malaysia’s FIFA Rankings would mean that Malaysia could overtake Indonesia in the Pot allocation for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers draw.
The promotion would give Malaysia an advantage as they would likely end up in a group that is less difficult. Teams in Pot 5 stand are very likely to be drawn into a group with stronger teams, making it more difficult for them to qualify to the World Cup in Doha 2022.
The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers draw is scheduled to be held in Doha on 17th July this year, with 40 teams under the AFC drawn into eight groups. All the group winners and four best runners-up will then move the next round of qualification.
Also Read:
The biggest stadiums in Malaysia
Some facts about Timor-Leste football
Best years of Sarawak FA football
This article is brought to us by our Sports Writers Club resident columnist – Cyril Dason.
