An impressive 4-1 win against Puerto Rico in a friendly match propelled India four spots to the 148th position in the latest global football rankings on Thursday.
India have four matches in a row in recent times, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two.
They beat Puerto Rico 4-1 at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai on September 3.
Earlier, India defeated Laos in their two-legged playoff for the Asian Cup 2019 qualification and then beaten Bhutan 3-0 in an unofficial friendly, thereby increasing their chances of jumping up the rankings ladder.
Brazil lifted themselves from ninth to the fourth spot, riding on two consecutive victories in 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Argentina remains at the top, followed by Belgium, ahead of world champions Germany, who have climbed one place in the rankings.
Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales have climbed to the 10th position, ahead of Spain, England and Italy, who sit 11th, 12th and 13th respectively.
Iran is the leading Asian country at the 37th spot.
--IANS
sam/dg
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