Boyz drop three places in FIFA rankings
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Russell Latapy has given Trinidad & Tobago Minister of Sport Anil Roberts another 28 reasons why he should keep his job as coach of the men’s national team.
The Soca Warriors have risen that number of places to 78th in the FIFA World Rankings to reclaim the title as the best side in the Caribbean Football Union ahead of traditional rivals Jamaica.
Roberts put Latapy under pressure, when he publicly challenged the national coach to win the Digicel Caribbean Cup, which concludes later this month in Martinique, or resign.
Latapy and his side responded, when they emphatically won their second round qualifying group on home soil to advance to the Finals of the regional competition.
This achievement may be short of the minister’s ultimatum, but Latapy and the Warriors can feel confident entering the Finals, knowing they are considered the best team in the region.
The Jamaicans — the reigning Caribbean Cup champions — fell marginally in the World rankings, down three places to 82nd, to hold-on to second place in the CFU.
The Reggae Boyz’s drop is mostly attributed to their inactivity, since they did not have to play any qualifying matches for the Caribbean Cup, and had no friendly internationals in the period under review to help boost their standing.
Breathing down their necks are Guyana, which moved-up 12 places in the World to an all-time best of 86, and makes them the CFU No 3.
In the wider CONCACAF region into which the CFU falls, the United States are the top side at 24th in the World, with Mexico second at 28th, and Honduras third at 57th.
Reigning World champions Spain is the No 1 side in the World, with World Cup runners-up Netherlands, five-time World champions Brazil, with three-time World champions Germany, and two-time World champions Argentina rounding out the World top five.