Despite being beaten 2-0 by China in Tianjin, China on Tuesday, Harimau Malaya climbed one spot to 161st position in the Fifa world football ranking.

National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal said this placed Malaysia ahead of Nepal (163rd), Bangladesh (166th), Sri Lanka (168th) and Pakistan (170th), but behind Thailand (139th), the Philippines (141st), Vietnam (153rd) and Singapore (159th).

In Asia, Malaysia also moved up one spot to the 30th position out of 46 countries.

Meanwhile, Spain dislodged Germany from the number one spot out of 209 countries in the Fifa world ranking following their recent results in friendlies and the World Cup qualifying round.

Argentina came in second while Germany, third.