Japan shoot 17th as Asians soar

As expected, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 has had a significant impact on the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

There are no changes at the summit of the global ladder, but Japan (17th, up 12), who became continental champions for a fourth time in Doha, have re-entered the top 20 after an absence of almost five years. Fittingly, the Samurai Blue are now the highest-ranked Asian team as well as being the third team - after hosts Brazil and world champions Spain - to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013.

Japan’s narrowly defeated opponents in the Qatar 2011 final, Australia (21st, up 5), as well as the losing semi-finalists Korea Republic (32nd, up 7) and this month’s highest climbersUzbekistan (77th, up 31), have obtained their reward in terms of places and points. Other Asian teams on an upward trajectory include Iran (44th, up 21), Jordan (84th, up 23), Iraq (88th, up 10) and Qatar (90th, up 15).

Thanks to their victories in the qualification matches for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2011, Honduras (39th, up 17), Costa Rica (48th, up 21) and El Salvador (98th, up 18) are also heading in the right direction.

Due to the significant devaluation of the points won a year ago at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, many teams have slid down the rankings this month. African champions Egypt (33rd, down 23), Nigeria (40th, down 8) and Algeria (55th, down 19) have lost the most ground, but several others have also taken a tumble.

Four teams, Honduras, Iran, South Africa and Costa Rica, have made the leap into the top 50 this month.

Top 20:

1	Spain	1887	0		0
2	Netherlands	1723	0		0
3	Germany	1485	0		0
4	Brazil	1446	0		0
5	Argentina	1367	0		29
6	England	1195	0		0
7	Uruguay	1152	0		0
8	Portugal	1090	0		0
9	Croatia	1075	0		0
10	Greece	1016	1		0
11	Norway	995	1		0
12	Russia	982	1		0
13	Italy	965	1		0
14	Chile	947	1		-3
15	Ghana	940	1		16
16	Slovenia	897	1		0
17	Japan	882	12		106
18	USA	869	0		2
19	France	867	-1		0
20	Slovakia	854	0		0

source: FIFA.com