Solomon Islands football zip up the chart in latest FIFA World rankings released yesterday

Solomon Islands football has maintained a steady positive rise within the last three months from being ranked 163 in March to 152 in the latest FIFA world ranking released yesterday.

Late last year, Solomon Islands has slipped down the ranking ladder to 164 in November 2006, eleven places behind closest Melanesian rival Fiji who were ranked 153. In March this year, Solomon Islands was ranked at 163rd position with just 81 points.

During last month's rating, the Solomons moved up by 17 points from 81 in March to 98 in April. This enabled them to move up the ranking from 163rd position in March to 154th position in April 2007.

However, the latest statistics released on the FIFA website yesterday showed that Solomon Islands is now ranked at 152nd position just four places behind Fiji who are ranked at 148. Solomon Islands has increased its points from 98 in April to 109 in May after a gain of 11 points.

According to information from the FIFA website, the monthly world ranking procedure is based on factors including the number of international matches played, results achieved, strength of opponents, importance of matches played, and regional strength.