The two successive defeats to Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia has hit Indian football hard, sending it tumbling eight spots down to joint 136th in the latest FIFA world rankings.

Since Englishman Bob Houghton took over the reins of the senior national team, India lost 0-3 to the Saudis in Kolkata, despite producing a much improved performance, but were humiliated 1-7 when they made the trip to the desert kingdom.

As a result, India finds itself level with Yemen, who they have to play in an upcoming Asian Cup qualifier in Sana'a.

India face Asian champions Japan in their next match in Bangalore on October 11 and a heavy defeat can see it falling further in the rankings.

India is ranked 25th in the Asian Football Confederation family, which is led by Australia, who are in 38th place. Iran climbed to the 43rd spot while Japan and Korea are ranked 47th and 49th respectively.

Saudi Arabia climbed seven places to number 68.

The overall rankings are still led by Brazil but the big gainer is France, who, after a strong beginning to their Euro 2008 qualification campaign, climbed two places to number two.

They also gained revenge with a 3-1 victory over Italy for their World Cup final defeat in a penalty shoot-out. Argentina is ranked third.

England gained one notch to be at fourth place but the big losers are the world champions who paid for a lacklustre start to their European championship campaign and dropped three spots to fifth.

Spain, who suffered an upset against the Republic of Ireland, also lost three places and were down to number 10.

The Czech Republic climbed three spots to be number seven. Germany gained one spot to number eight at the expense of Portugal.