Kyrgyzstan played four matches over the past month at India’s Nehru Cup tournament, their ranking points coming from a win against Sri Lanka and a draw with Lebanon.

That was good enough for 171.7 points and a jump of 17 places to 143 in the world - their highest ranking since reaching 139 in 2007. They are also 22nd in Asia.

India, who won the tournament, moved up six places to 149 and 26th in Asia.

Australia’s 3-0 victory over Ireland in a friendly on August 12 helped them stay atop the Asian rankings and move up two places to 14th in the world.

Japan are second in Asia and 40th in the world while Korea Republic are third in the continent and 49th within FIFA.

If rankings are anything to go by, then this week’s FIFA World Cup 2010 Asian play-off qualifier between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be tight.

Bahrain have moved up one place for fifth in Asia and 64th in the world. The Saudis are one place behind them in both rankings after dropping 15 notches over the past month.

Bahrain are at home for the first leg with the second leg on Wednesday.

Top 10 AFC Rankings AFC ranking (FIFA ranking), country, positional change in FIFA.

1 (14) Australia +2
2 (40) Japan -1
3 (49) Korea Republic -1
4 (60) Iran +1
5 (64) Bahrain +1
6 (65) Saudi Arabia -1
7 (74) Oman +6
8 (83) Qatar +2
9 (85) Uzbekistan -6
10 (90) DPR Korea -4