Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine Azkals may have ended last year with a couple of disappointing results, but they kick off 2016 with the knowledge that they have risen in the FIFA World Men’s Rankings.
The Azkals have climbed from 139 in the world rankings to start the year in the 135th spot.
The Philippine national team has climbed those four spots in a period which ran from December 3, 2015 to January 7, 2016.
The Azkals did not have a single fixture within that period.
Gunning for the Asian Cup
The last time coach Thomas Dooley and his charges took the pitch was in the 1-0 defeat against Yemen last November.
The Philippines is currently in the middle of a four-game losing streak, with its last victory coming through a 2-0 friendly victory against the Maldives in September.
Since then, the Philippines has dropped games to Uzbekistan, Bahrain, and Yemen, but did well to force a draw against regional powerhouse North Korea.
The Azkals currently find themselves in third place of Group H of the joint FIFA World Cup-AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
With a berth in the next round of the World Cup Qualifiers out of reach, the Azkals hope to snatch an slot in the 3rd round of the AFC Asian Cup.
The quest for a slot in the AFC Asian Cup resumes on March 24 against Uzbekistan.
Read: 2016 forecast for Philippine sports
