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Singapore are above Malaysia on the FIFA world rankings for the first time in more than a year after climbing nine spots. This comes after the Lions secured consecutive 1-1 draws against Hong Kong and Turkmenistan in their most recent international matches in August and September. Singapore are at 162nd, four spots above Malaysia, who remained at 166th, according to the latest list. The Malaysians have failed to win four consecutive games since Portugal's Nelo Vingada took over as head coach in May. Harimau Malaya are now tied with minnows Laos after their fellow Southeast Asians jumped five spots. Indonesia are also poised to overtake their neighbours after rising six rungs to 169th. The top ASEAN nation is still Philippines, who climbed four positions to 123rd, followed by Vietnam (up four to 130th) and Thailand (down seven to 137th). Philippines are now above North Korea -- Malaysia's next Asian Cup qualifying opponents - who slid 14 spots to 124th. Although they dropped one spot, Iran remain Asia's top-ranked nation at 25th, followed by Japan (up four to 40th), Australia (down five to 50th) and South Korea (down two to 51st). Despite falling short in World Cup qualifying, China made an impressive jump of 14 rungs to sit at 62nd, above the likes of 2018 hosts, Russia, Norway and 2007 Asian champions, Iraq. After recent rises, India plummeted 14 spots to fall out of the top 100 to 107th.
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