Vietnam take five days to return to FIFA top 100 ranking

By Hoang An February 1, 2022 | 11:56 pm PT

Ho Tan Tai (L), who opened the score in Vietnam's World Cup qualifier with China on February 1, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Lam Thoa

Vietnam have returned to the top 100 in the FIFA world rankings just five days after slipping out, thanks to their victory over China in the World Cup qualifier.

For their 3-1 win on Tuesday night Vietnam got 15.47 points, which enabled them to climb four places to 98th. They have 1,218.55 points and are behind Congo with 1,221.4 points.

Since FIFA put out the previous ranking list on December 23 Vietnam have played four games.

They lost 3.01 points after two disappointing games against Thailand in the AFF Cup semifinals, and another 6.45 points for a 0-4 defeat against Australia in a World Cup qualifier.

Vietnam remained the number one team in Southeast Asia and 17th in Asia. Thailand have climbed to 112th, 14 places behind Vietnam after their AFF Cup title in December.

The 3-1 win against China made Vietnam the first Southeast Asian team to win a game in the final round of World Cup qualifiers. Thailand advanced to the final round in 2018, but they only managed two draws.