FIFA World Rankings (20/04/05)

[Madferret]

ZURICH (AP-CP) -- The Czech Republic has replaced France in second place in FIFA's world soccer rankings, with Brazil holding on to first and Argentina staying in third.

Canada remained No. 84, sandwiched between Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. Frank Yallop's team stands ninth among countries in CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

In the monthly rankings released Wednesday, France dropped to fourth place with the Netherlands moving up two places to fifth. England also improved two spots, moving into sixth.

Rounding out the top 10 were Spain, Mexico, and Portugal with the United States and Italy tied for 10th.

Just outside the top 10, European champion Greece moved up two spots to 12th place. Other teams improving from last month included Croatia (No. 21, up three places), Egypt (No. 28, up three), South Africa (No. 37, up three), Belgium (No. 41, up 10), and Ukraine (No. 42, up four).

Full ranking list can be found here (http://fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,All-Apr-2005,00.html)

http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/sportsnet_story_images/logos/fifa_logo240.jpg

[a4l]

At least Canada has gone up in the rankings since last year. They ended up in 97th.

[J.R.]

Sixth is not bad for England, but I would like to see them at least in the top five before the World Cup. I don't understand why the Czech Republic is second. I've never really thought of them as a great soccer nation. Hockey, maybe. Are they really that good? I couldn't name any of their players and their preformance at EURO 2004 wasn't too spectacular (was it a semi-final loss?). Are they dominating W.C. qualifying or something?

[Madferret]

Sixth is not bad for England, but I would like to see them at least in the top five before the World Cup. I don't understand why the Czech Republic is second. I've never really thought of them as a great soccer nation. Hockey, maybe. Are they really that good? I couldn't name any of their players and their preformance at EURO 2004 wasn't too spectacular (was it a semi-final loss?). Are they dominating W.C. qualifying or something?

The Czechs are about as consitent as they come Junes. They have some class players like Baros & Nedved, but are generally just a solid team from keeper to the strikers. They play well together and have always had great chemistry which is very important for success in the Euro / WC. They're not dominating the WC Qualifying (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/t/group/overview.html?grp=eur_1), they're behind Holland by a point actually, so why they're #2 is beyond me. This is FIFA we're talking about so you gotta take their rankings with a pinch of salt.
I can't stand them, Holland always gets stuck in the same Groups as them and they give us fits every time we play them, and have generally had our number.

[a4l]

FIFA hates England too. There is no way we are 6 th.

[Madferret]

Alright I'm going to list 1-10 and then rant about everything wrong with them..

1 Brazil
2 Czech Republic
3 Argentina
4 France
5 Netherlands
6 England
7 Spain
8 Mexico
9 Portugal
10 Italy

- Brazil...ok I'll agree there based purely on their the defending WC champs. They are the #1 until alot of their rival Countries can beat them.
- Czech...#2..no, maybe #6. Good team yes, #2 in the World hell no! Win a tournament first....I'll put them 6th.
- Argentina...#3 for what? For a WC meltdown? Ahead of France? Forget it, I'll give them 8#.
- France...#4 , last team to win the Double, had a bad WC yes but a decent Euro. I'll bump them to #3.
- Netherlands...#5. Hey, I love my Oranje, but they got alot to prove before they are #5, let's bump them to 7#.
- England...#6, come on. Sven can't get them to play football to win instead of playing football not to lose, so where this is coming from is beyond me. I'll stick them at #10.
- Spain...#7. The Spanish can't get any respect. #5 for you lot.
- Mexico...#8....GOOD-BYE! Not even a Top 10 Squad.
- Portugal...#9, agreed. #9 it is.
- Italy...#10..this pains me. Italy is painfull to watch. They're also one of the few teams you pray your Country doesn't get drawn against when it comes to Elimination matches. #4 for the Italians.
- So Mexico is gone, we've gone through FIFA's Top 10, and their is still no #2...so much to Andy's chagrin I've got to give the host Germans the #2. Not even in the Top 10? That's bollocks! They've got so much going for them it's not even funny...History, host Country...I could go on. The German "Machine" team always keeps coming at you, always buys into the Team stragety, and should never be discounted. They were over-looked last WC and went to the Finals, I wouldn't be suprised if they did it again.

So, Ferret's Top 10 is...

1. Brazil
2. Germany
3. France
4. Italy
5. Spain
6. Czech
7. Holland
8. Argentina
9. Portugal
10. England

Once again, FIFA shows just how far they still have to go if they expect to shed the shady image from their name.

[a4l]

A4l can't let that stand because it is still wrong.

1. Brazil Ok I agree with this one only because they won the last one
2. Germany -I am not sure about this one but I will keep them at 2 nd
3. Italy _ They are still a force and a solid team
4. England _ Sven has to change his tactics and we will be #1
5. Spain
6. Holland
7. France - have been playing like crap since 2000 Didn't even beat Senegal in 2002
8. Argentina Haven't been the same since the 'hand of god" retired
9. Portugal didn't make the 2002 world cup
10. Czech They haven't won anything so #10 suits them

[Madferret]

4. England _ Sven has to change his tactics and we will be #1


If I may ask, what has England accomplished to earn 4th spot?

[a4l]

They are top of their Division and I am biased but not so biased as to put them in #1.