Malta down to 182nd place in FIFA rankings

Following back-to-back defeats to Slovenia and Iceland, Malta lost four places in the FIFA/CocaCola World Ranking and is now ranked 182nd. Among the other UEFA members, Malta is ranked 51st. Lying just ahead of Malta are FYR Macedonia (162, down 7), Moldova (162, up 11) and Kosovo (165, down 1) while Liechtenstein (189, down 6), San Marino (202, down 1), Andorra (203, down 1) and Gibraltar (205) are all behind Malta. Argentina remain top for November, but have seen their command on the summit weakened by close rivals Brazil (2, up 1). After a good run of form in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying, A Seleção have surpassed Germany (3, down 1) and closed the distance to their South American neighbours, as the year-end approaches. Chile, meanwhile, climbed into fourth place.

Tarxien close in on Zerafa

Premier League club Tarxien Rainbows might have found the replacement of Jacques Scerri, as local media reported that Jesmond Zerafa is close to take the helm of the team. Despite no official communication, sources close to the club said the both parties are close and Zerafa might start his second journey with the club after Tarxien play their weekend game against Birkirkara. There were several coaches in discussion with Tarxien, with Winston Muscat amongst the favourites, but talks hit another way and now Jesmond Zerafa now is the favourite. For this weekend’s game, the team will again be under coach Ryan Pulis.