Spain top world rankings; China stuck in 92nd place

Source:Global Times Published: 2013-12-20 0:23:01

World soccer governing body FIFA on Thursday unveiled the latest edition of its world ranking results in 2013. The top 10 teams remain unchanged, led by Spain, while Ukraine are the furthest climbers.

The reigning world champions beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 away in November but were stunned 1-0 by South Africa.  Yet Vicente del Bosque's side have now topped the ranking six times in a row this year, ­assuring their place as FIFA's Team of the Year.

Ambitious Germany rank second, as they stay unbeaten this year save for a 4-3 defeat to the US in June. They are followed by Argentina, Colombia, Portugal, Uruguay, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Next year's World Cup hosts Brazil remain in 10th place, losing only two away games in 2013 when they were beaten by England and Switzerland

Ukraine came close to the World Cup next year in the last round of European qualifying with a two-goal advantage, but were denied by a strong comeback 3-0 from France. They moved up 29 places to 18th, and became the Mover of the Year for the first time, according to fifa.com.

Cuba had a disappointing 2013, as they dropped down 53 places to rank 100th.

While China advanced one place in the ranking to No.92, they were surpassed by Saudi Arabia in Asia and are 10th in the continent. The Chinese ­national soccer team didn't play any games during the last ­assessment period.

Iran are No.1 in Asia as they stepped forward 12 places to reach 33rd in the world.

Global Times



Posted in: Soccer

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