Ranking... a ‘Blue’ Myth?

As FIFA announces its latest world rankings, Indian football fans get some respite of climbing a place in the rankings. Indian football teams’ ranking could improve not more than one place to 162nd position. Ranking has always been discussed and believed to be a parameter to check the status of Indian football.
But is it the real reflection of Indian football? Does the FIFA ranking judgefootball talent? When FIFA kicked off the ranking system in 1993, Indians were at 100th position. After a slump, we again rose to the 106th position. But then, gradually declined to 171th position in 2014.
As we discussed Indian football teams’ FIFA ranking, the basic question that gets rolled here is, why should and would Indian football teams’ ranking improve?
As an ardent football fan, I get annoyed with such type of cynical position.Let’stry to find out the answers as we look at how FIFA’s ranking system works...
⦁ FIFA’s ranking system considers number of international matches played in a stipulated time span.
⦁These matches have to be recognised by FIFA and respective regional organizations. Also, the matches must fall in line with the FIFAcalendar and schedule. In short, these international matches should be ‘FIFA approved’.
⦁ They could be friendly, qualifying (much like India is playing in recent days), regional tournaments (Asian, European cups, etc.), or else, even the FIFA world cup.
⦁ International matches without FIFA approval (like SAFF tournament, which India recently won) and scheduled outside of the calendar do not have any impact on the international rankings.
⦁ Like all other international sports ranking systems, better the ranking of the opponent, higher the value of your victory. Again, home-away factor also plays a big role. For example, India’s victory over Nepal would have earned them 2 points. But if they had played against Brazil n could have managed to net a winning goal, then value of that victory in terms of ranking points would have gone beyond 50 points. And just by virtue of that, Indian team’s ranking would have risen by almost 40 places. Looks like a dream, isn’t it? It was just an example to explain the points scenario.
Now, when you come to terms with these FIFA international matches preconditions in the ranking system, you will not require any football or statistical pundit to explain & blow a final whistle on that fact that why Indian football teams’ ranking is very low. Following are the reasons, why India sunk from highest ever 114 to 171st position.
⦁ India does not follow the FIFA calendar
⦁ India does not make attempts to reschedule Indian domestic matches’ calendar, to suit the FIFA schedule
⦁ India does not invest to attract the higher ranked teams in the world, other than Asia to play friendly matches in India. After all it is an investment, not expenditure as far as mission ranking improvement is concerned. But serious efforts are not been taken on that front.
⦁ And at the end of it, it is a chicken-egg story. Why would a higher ranked team come over to India? Even if they are aware of the fact to have an edge against India, they will venture into higher ranked team to their ranking to improve their own ranking.
The national football associations of all other countries ‘book’ the higher ranked teams two to three years in advance! For that they have their own football calendar n road map for coming five years!
Here in India, we hardly know what is going to happen between I-league and Indian Super League. Whether there would be one league next season or two jugging leagues, nobody knows!
Anyways, that is a different ball game all together. Viva Football has already kick started the campaign to unite the footballing world in echoing for the One Nation One League voice.
So, fact of the matter remains that, as far as India is concerned, FIFA ranking is a myth! My strong argument is, Indian football team is much better in respect of talent, infrastructure, support compare to the higher ranked teams. Rank no. 162 is not a just indicator of the Indian football teams’ quality and honest efforts.
Indian football team should n could easily be between 100th to 125th position. That is why, on the ranking improvement field, world cup qualifiers were more than a golden chance. India had a chance to bounce back in the qualifying rounds and at least gain 25 to 30 position advantage. That would have been the perfect result for the future planning and would have fallen in line with the international calendar.
Indian coach Stephen Constantine has failed on that front. Though Mr. Constantine had volleyed very strong verbal kicks over this ranking issue and raised questions to AIFF for not following the FIFA calendar. He had said“I can’t really understand how Indian football is going to progress without following FIFA calendar. When all other countries have fully prepared for the internationals, Indian players are just getting match fit. Ideally, August to May is the most suitable calendar for any league. As they prepare and get into the groves of the international calendar, the local league creeps in. It is for Indian football’s own benefit to fall in as quickly as possible to the FIFA calendar. Sooner the better. ” Whether the FIFA ranking is a real reflection of the status of Indian football, is a debatable issue. You are most welcome to raise your arguments into it. But, for me ranking is just a tool, not destination. The health, status and quality of Indian football depends on various other factors apart from the ranking. Those factors need to be address on an urgent basis. And lastly, following in line with FIFA calendar will be a right kick start towards that direction.