Australia break into top 20

AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, Australia have again broken into the world’s top 20 footballing nations with the latest FIFA world rankings moving Pim Verbeek’s men up four places to 19th position.

Australia gained their highest ever 14th rank in September last year but slipped to their mid 20s after a string of disappointing AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ qualifiers results.

However, a 1-0 victory over Indonesia last month which clinched them qualification for Asia’s premier showpiece helped them keep their top Asian ranking and jump to 19th in the world.

Japan, who defeated Bahrain 2-0 in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ qualifiers, went up by a place to 45th.

Korea Republic’s shocking 2-0 victory over Ivory Coast in a friendly helped them jump four places to 49th.

Saudi Arabia have maintained their fourth spot in the Asian pedestal despite a drop of five spots to 62nd while Iran’s strong showing in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ qualification saw them progress by four places to 63rd.

UAE were the biggest Asian movers following their stunning 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ qualifiers. The West Asians jumped 13 places to a joint ranking of 102 along with Jordan who have also progressed by four spots.

FIFA World Cup finalists DPR Korea were down three places to 105.

TOP 10 AFC RANKINGS

AFC ranking (FIFA ranking), country, positional change in FIFA

1 (19) Australia +4
2 (45) Japan +1
3 (49) Korea Republic +4
4 (62) Saudi Arabia -5
5 (63) Iran +4
6 (67) Bahrain -4
7 (81) Iraq +6
8 (84) China -1
9 (94) Kuwait -6
10 (95) Uzbekistan -20