KUALA LUMPUR: The 2-0 loss to Qatar in the opening match of the 2015 Asia Cup qualifiers last Wednesday has seen Malaysia’s world ranking take another tumble. 

Based on the latest FIFA ranking released yesterday, the national squad under coach Datuk K. Rajagopal dropped from No. 158 last month to No. 159 — the same as Maldives.  

This is even lower than countries lacking in basic infrastructure like Palestine (No. 153), Hong Kong (No. 156), Bermuda (No. 157). 

At the very top, reigning world and European champions Spain, Germany and Argentina held on to the first three spots with 1,590, 1,437 and 1,281 points respectively. 

The FIFA list comprises 209 countries. 

Malaysia, however, remained at No. 26 among the 46 Asian countries, with Japan at the top of the heap, followed by South Korea in second place and Australia third. — Bernama

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