Matildas achieve highest ever ranking

The Qantas Matildas have recorded their highest ever position of 14th on the latest FIFA Women's World Rankings announced over the weekend.

The Qantas Matildas have recorded their highest ever position of 14th on the latest FIFA Women's World Rankings announced over the weekend.

On the back of a successful 2006 which saw the team qualify for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, and a clean sweep last month of the preliminary round of qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Qantas Matildas moved up one spot to their highest position since the rankings commenced in July 2003.

The Qantas Matildas will commence the second stage of Beijing Olympic qualifiers next month where they have been drawn against Asia's top team - 5th ranked DPR Korea - plus qualifiers Chinese Taipei and one of either South Korea or Hong Kong.

The draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup will be on April 22 with the tournament in China, September 10-30.

The FIFA Women's World Rankings now include 142 nations who compete in international women's football.