By AAP
November 21st 2009 @ 2:13am
Socceroos move up in FIFA world rankings
The Socceroos have improved three places to No.21 in the latest world rankings released by governing body FIFA on Friday.
Australia’s 2-1 away victory over Oman in their Asian Cup qualifying match last weekend has helped them inch closer to another spot back in the world’s top 20.
Pim Verbeek’s men had reached the lofty heights of No.14 in the rankings in September, having locked up a second straight World Cup appearance, before slipping back down the list.
New Zealand have also improved their standing, rising six places to No.77 following their qualification for South Africa, which will be just their second ever World Cup appearance.
European champions Spain have replaced Brazil at the top of the list, with the Netherlands third ahead of world champions Italy, Portugal and Germany.
The Portuguese, who were ranked below Australia in recent months, have been the biggest movers in the top 10.
France, who have been under-fire ever since Thierry Henry’s handball allowed them to qualify for the World Cup ahead of Ireland, have risen two places to No.7, followed by Argentina, England and Croatia.
Ireland have dropped two spots to No.36.
Two other teams that have reached South Africa enjoyed a big rankings boost, with Nigeria improving 10 places to No.22 and Slovenia rising 16 places to No.33.
Latest FIFA world rankings:
1. Spain (+1 place)
2. Brazil (-1)
3. Netherlands
4. Italy
5. Portugal (+5)
6. Germany (-1)
7. France (+2)
8. Argentina (-2)
9. England (-2)
10. Croatia (-2)
Also:
21. Australia (+2)
77. New Zealand (+6)
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Mr cheese said | November 21st 2009 @ 5:18am | Report comment
It’s difficult to take the rankings totally seriously, because the USA went into the 2006 World Cup in the top 5 in the world. They were rubbish in that tournament, as most people expected them to be.
It will be interesting to see if ( when ? ) the Aussies make it into the top 10.
Then, you will know that you have arrived.
Jeb said | November 21st 2009 @ 5:33pm | Report comment
Mr Cheese – you say It’s difficult to take the rankings seriously but then use them as the barometre for when we’ll know we’ve arrived… I’d agree with your first sentiment.
Mr cheese said | November 22nd 2009 @ 9:36am | Report comment
There is some truth in the ratings, Jebediah. I don’t reckon you could say that they’re a total waste of time. England should be number one, though. Who has forgotten 1966 ????
A los osados ayuda la fortuna !!!!!!!!
Joe FC said | November 21st 2009 @ 1:29pm | Report comment
-”It will be interesting to see if ( when ? ) the Aussies make it into the top 10.
Then, you will know that you have arrived”…not wrong there Mr cheese.
vas said | November 21st 2009 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
Mr Cheese, how is Australia being top 10 any more dubious than the USA being top 5?
How many meaningful tournaments have Australia won compared to the Americans?
As you rightly point out, the rankings are a joke. It’s nice for the also-rans like the USA and Australia, because it is the only marker by which they can improve. But I doubt Spain cares too much about being Number 1. They’d probably prefer winning the World Cup and being out of the top 10.
Mr cheese said | November 22nd 2009 @ 9:35am | Report comment
I don’t know that either the yanks or the convicts have won any big tournaments.
Neither of them has won either the Euros or the World Cup or est-ce que je me trompe ????
They probably won’t win the Euros in my lifetime. Neither will Japan.