Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek
The Solomon Islands have been the big movers in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings following their runners-up finish at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Oceania Qualifier in Samoa last month.
Batram Suri’s side surprised many by coming through as Group winners in a tough Group featuring traditional OFC powerhouse sides Fiji and Papua New Guinea before knocking out hosts Samoa in the semi-finals. While they came up short against an impressive New Zealand side in the final, the Solomon Islands showed they had made great strides in the development of women’s football in the country.
The latest official FIFA Women’s Rankings have seen the Solomon Islands climb 21 places to 81, ranked fourth in Oceania behind New Zealand who have moved up two spots to 28, Papua New Guinea (56) and Fiji. (72)
The Solomon Islands was the biggest mover among the 193 countries with FIFA world rankings.
There is little change in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings for OFC teams with New Zealand climbing one place to 103 at the top and the Solomon Islands moving up one spot to 131 in second.