Soccer:The Republic of Ireland are back inside the top 30 of the Fifa world rankings after their draws against Slovakia and Russia in the Euro 2012 qualifiers earlier this month.
Despite being outplayed in both matches, comprehensively so in Moscow, Ireland earned a brace of points and have climbed two places to 29th in the latest standings.
Although England won their most recent qualifiying fixtures, the vagaries of the rankings system have seem them fall four places to eighth. Fifa’s rankings are based on results over a four-year period, and England have slipped behind Uruguay, Portugal, Italy and Brazil in the standings.
Spain are back to first place, with the Netherlands dropping to second and Germany static in third, ahead of Copa America winners Uruguay.
Scotland rise three to 52nd after drawing with Czech Republic and beating Lithuania.
Wales return to the top 100, climbing 27 places to 90th after their Euro 2012 qualifying win over Montenegro, but Northern Ireland fall 11 to 70th position following defeats by Estonia and Serbia.
Top 10:1. Spain 1605 points; 2. Netherlands 1571pts; 3. Germany 1290; 4. Uruguay 1184, 5. Portugal 1158; 6. Italy 1142; 7. Brazil 1132; 8. England 1089; 9. Croatia 1057; 10. Argentina 1024.
Selected others:12. Russia 954; 29. Republic of Ireland 749;39. Slovakia 662; 44. Armenia 610; 52. Scotland 572; 70. Northern Ireland 477; 90. Wales 374.
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