Australia are No 1 in Asia: FIFA Rankings

AFC - Australia’s last 16 finish in the FIFA World Cup 2006 has propelled them to the top of the tree in Asia in the latest, revised FIFA rankings released today.

Australia, who joined the AFC at the beginning of this year, soared nine places to 33rd in the rankings, their highest position since 1998. The Aussies picked up 126 points, thanks to their historical second round finish.

Iran are second in Asia in 47th position, down 24 spots after a big loss of 62 points, while Asian champions Japan are a distant third in 49th position, a far cry from their top-20 spot a month earlier. The Japanese shed as many as 90 points, which sent them plummeting 31 spots down the ladder.

Central Asians Uzbekistan come after Japan in 50th, followed by the Korea Republic who are 56th after a lacklustre World Cup campaign. The new criteria for deciding the rankings saw the Koreans demoted 27 places out of the top-50.

Saudi Arabia suffered the biggest drop (down 47 places) to skid way down to 81st after a massive loss of 252 points.

Kyrgyzstan are the most improved side under the new system with a leap of 26 spots (though they have actually lost 88 points), which has pushed them up to 121st.

Guam is now the lowest ranked team in Asia in 196th position.

Brazil still lead the rankings with 1630 points but new world champions Italy (1550 points) are closing in after rising to second from 12th position.

The new rankings take into account the importance of matches and the strength of opponents.