The Westfield Matildas have dropped two places to sixth spot in the latest FIFA Women's World Rankings released on Friday [AEDT].
After Alen Stajcic’s side reached their highest-ever position of fourth in the last ranking release in December, they’ve taken a fall in the first release of 2018.
The drop comes after the Aussie girls finished fourth at the recent Algarve Cup in Portugal, where they lost their first match in over a year at the hands of the hosts.
The Westfield Matildas are now focused on Monday’s international friendly against Thailand in Perth before heading to Jordan for April’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Despite the drop, Australia remains the highest ranked nation in the AFC, with Monday’s opponents in Thailand remaining in 30th position in the rankings.
The Westfield Matildas opponents at the Asian Cup all suffered falls in their positions.
Japan have dropped two positions to sit 11th, while Korea Republic also went down two to be 16th.
And Vietnam fell three places to now sit at 35th in the world.
World champions USA remain on top of the world although there’s a new nation in second with England leapfrogging Germany (third).
Canada (fourth) and France (fifth) both jumped above the Westfield Matildas to round out the top five.
Westfield Matildas v Thailand
WHEN: Monday, March 26 - kick-off 9pm AEDT
WHERE: nib Stadium, Perth
HOW TO WATCH: LIVE on Fox Sports 501 and SBS Viceland
