Vietnam is now 114th in FIFA’s February rankings.

The team, which is considered the second strongest in the Southeast Asian region after Thailand (99 th ), jumped two places from 112 th earlier in the year.

Vietnam ’s highest position was 84th,  which it reached in September 1998 after their remarkable triumph at the Tiger Cup.

Malaysia jumped 13 places to 146th in the world.

The tour best teams in the world are Spain, Brazil, the Netherlands and Italy, in descending order.

Meanwhile, 5,700 ten to 12-year-olds, considered to be the best young footballers in the country, took part in the first qualifying of the “Road to FIFA World Cup 2010” competition in HCM City on March 1.

The best 24 players will get the chance to train with strikers Phan Thanh Binh and Phinali under the guidance of coach Trieu Quang Ha.

The 12 best players will represent Vietnam at the Coca Cola global football camp in South Africa .

The programme is jointly sponsored by the VFF, Vietnam Television and Coca Cola./.