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Colombia feels weight of world ranking going into Copa America

Xinhua, June 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Colombia is feeling the weight of its world ranking in the lead up to the 2015 Copa America championship, which kicks off in Chile next week.

The team has maintained fourth place, according to Thursday's global rankings from world soccer body FIFA, with a total of 1,435 points, coming in behind Argentina, which slipped a rung to land in third place with 1,496, and ahead of Brazil, in fifth place with 1,392 points.

"Being in fourth place has presented us with a challenge to stay there always," defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez said, according to the Copa's website.

Still, the team is ready for the challenge, suggested Sanchez, whose strength has earned him the nickname "The Rock."

"We have a plan for each match, each rival is different," he said.

Teammate Teofilo Gutierrez, a striker for Argentine club River Plate, agreed the team has a lot to live up to, saying "we have left our mark worldwide."

South America's top tournament for national teams is organized by regional football body Conmebol and features the association's 10 members, plus two guest teams from the Concacaf (Mexico and Jamaica).

Following is a list of the competing teams, according to their FIFA rankings.

Argentina (No. 3): It needs to do well in the Copa if it wants to reclaim second place in the world rankings.

Colombia (No. 4): Still buoyed by its 2014 World Cup performance.

Brazil (No. 5): Barely made it into the top five.

Uruguay (No. 8): The little team that could.

Chile (No. 19): Slipped three rungs after losing to Iran and Brazil in March friendlies, but still in the top 20.

Mexico (No. 23): Pushed out of the No. 22 spot by Austria, it will have plenty of chances to inch back up at the Copa America and Copa de Oro tournaments.

Ecuador (No. 31): Blew past Bosnia Herzegovina, Ghana and Ukraine to land at No. 31.

Peru (No. 61): Climbed up from No. 63.

Jamaica (No. 65): Advanced an amazing nine places.

Venezuela (No. 72): Slipped three spots.

Paraguay (No. 85): Knocked down four rungs.

Bolivia (No. 89): While it's trailing in last place among its Copa rivals, the team climbed three spots. Endit