Azkals move up eight spots in FIFA rankings, highest in history

The Philippines' strong showing in last month's AFC Challenge Cup 2012 had the Azkals leaping to their highest place in the FIFA World Rankings as they jumped eight places up to 148. It is the Philippines' highest position since the ranking was introduced. It suffered its lowest ranking at 195 in 2006. But with its AFC Challenge Cup performance, it broke into the top 150 this month. 

 

It was in the Challenge Cup where the Azkals gathered the much-needed points as it finished the group stages second behind North Korea in Group B. In the semis knockout stage, the Azkals looked like it was poised to reach the finals for the first time in history, as Phil Younghusband scored an early goal in the 25th minute. But Turkmenistan was determined to quash the PHL side's hopes as Arslanmyrat Amanow (80th) and Gahrymanberdi Çoňkaýew (86th) scored in the final 10 minutes to steal the win from the Philippines.

 

In the battle for third place, Phil Younghusband showed why he was deserving of the Golden Boot award as he scored two goals for the Philippines in the fourth and 25th minute. Younghusband scored six goals in the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 to earn the Golden Boot award, which is given to an individual player who scored the most goals in the tournament. The Guirado brothers also shined as Angel scored in the 42nd minute while Juani scored his first goal for the boys in blue in the 69th minute. With the Philippines scoring at will, even Palestine's two second half goals were not enough to unseat the Azkals as the Challenge Cup's third best squad. — Reneé A. Fopalan/JVP/HS, GMA News