Australia Finishes 2005 Ranked 48

Australia has jumped one place to 48th in the last FIFA rankings for 2005, despite not having played a game in the last month.

Australia has jumped one place to 48th in the last FIFA rankings for 2005, despite not having played a game in the last month.

The Socceroos swapped places with South Africa, who dropped one place. Australia also finished ten places higher than at this time last year.

At the FIFA World Gala awards held in Zurich, Switzerland, Brazil and Ghana were the major awards winners in terms of the rankings. Brazil finished the year as World Number 1, some 44 points ahead of its nearest rival Czech Republic, who finished two places higher than in 2004.

The Biggest Mover award went to African World Cup finalist Ghana, who beat off competition from Ethiopia and Togo.

In the Women-s World Rankings, the Qantas Matildas remain 16th, although the last official rankings were in September.