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Alan Kelly and Richard Dunne share a joke after the draw against Russia. INPHO/Donall Farmer
Move on up

Ireland up to 29th in FIFA's world rankings

Spain regain top spot after busy month of international soccer.

IRELAND HAVE CLIMBED two places in FIFA’s world rankings to 29th.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men moved into the top 30 after a scoreless draw at home with Slovakia and the same result in Moscow, in their bid to reach next summer’s Euro2012 finals.

The new rankings were released this morning.

At the top of the list, it’s all change too. After a mere month at the top spot, Holland coughed up first place to world and European champions Spain.

England have fallen four spots to eighth while Germany remain in third ahead of Copa America champions Uruguay, their highest-ever position.

A FIFA statement reads: “The high level of movement in this latest edition is the result of 170 ‘A’ international matches, of which 109 were FIFA World Cup or continental qualifiers and 61 were friendlies.”

Scotland are up three spots to 52nd, Northern Ireland have plummeted 11 places to 70th and Wales are in 90th. Brian Kerr’s Faroes are in 125th.

The next FIFA rankings list will be published on 19 October, fact fans.

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