SINGAPORE - The Republic's national men's football team have fallen to an all-time lowest world ranking of 171 in the latest table published by Fifa on Thursday (Oct 20).

V. Sundramoorthy's Lions, on the back of disappointing results in recent friendlies, dropped 16 notches from September's ranking of 155. Singapore's previous lowest ranking in the 211-team table was 165th, in June 2013, under then coach Bernd Stange.

Singapore fired blanks in a 0-0 draw against Malaysia at the National Stadium on Oct 7 and five days later, lost 2-0 to Hong Kong in another friendly.

With this latest blow, the Lions are now ranked behind minnows such as Belize (163rd), New Caledonia (166th), St Lucia, Cambodia and South Sudan (all 167th). Neighbours Malaysia are 164th.

But Sundram and his players will have a chance to catch up in next month's Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, where they will meet defending champion Thailand, Indonesia and co-hosts Philippines in the group stage.

Argentina continue to top the standings for a seventh straight month. The World Cup and Copa America runners-up are followed by Germany, Brazil, Belgium and Colombia. European Championship winners Portugal are eighth while England are 12th, a place behind Euro 2016 semi-finalists Wales.