Despite dropping three places against December 2012, Vietnam continues occupying the top position in the Southeast Asian region in FIFA rankings for January 2013.

According to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Vietnam stood 134th in January 2013, down from the 131st in the December, 2012 ranking.

Following Vietnam is Thailand which slipped two places from December to 138th position, with the Philippines 147th; Singapore 154th, Indonesia 156th and Malaysia at the 158th in the list.

Laos is the only team in Southeast Asia which has seen its ranking climb to the 170th from 171st of December.

The Vietnam-UAE fixture in February for the Asia Cup’s qualifying round will decide the position of the national team in the FIFA ranking.