Australia jumps three places

Australia has jumped three places to number 29 in the latest FIFA World Rankings released overnight in Zurich. This is despite Australia not playing in any matches during the month of May.

Australia has jumped three places to number 29 in the latest FIFA World Rankings released overnight in Zurich. This is despite Australia not playing in any matches during the month of May.

The complicated points allocation takes into consideration matches played in the same period of the previous four years, hence why Australia picked up 3 points in the month. Combined with Ghana, Chile and Nigeria dropping significant points, Australia managed to overtake these three and climbed to within two positions of its highest ranking of 27, recorded in February of this year.

If Australia can produce three wins in the next three World Cup qualifiers, there is a very good chance that Australia will eclipse its highest ranking, come the next ranking release in early July.

Australia-s opponent in the third match of the three World Cup qualifying games - Japan, moved up four places to No.31 and no doubt will be looking to overtake Australia if it can do likewise. Korea Republic is the only other Asian country inside the top 50 at number 46.

Spain still heads the rankings table, ahead of the Netherlands, who jumped above of Germany. Italy overtook Brazil to be 4th and 5th respectively, while England is 6th.

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