FIFA World Ranking for the Socceroos

Well we are now 102 in the world. I think the Asian Cup might help with our ranking a bit (if a good showing), but it will be a slow rebuild over many years (3 years to get it right for the next WC).

I think a realistic goal for Australia should be around the 30 to 40 spot by the next WC. I think this is probably a true reflection of where our team should be (or at least aiming for). I don't think the top 30 or 20 is really realistic for Australia ATM. Even our "golden generation" were barely a Top 30 team (although rankings may have had them higher).

 

During our time with the OFC our problem was more that we had a lack of opportunities at an international level. Friendlies were still few and far between (and not many big teams, as we rarely qualified and weren't seen as a good proposition for preparing teams to face either Asian or other members).

Then the internationals we did play were against such lowly ranked teams it hardly influenced our rank. I think people need to remember that Australia competes above their weight in most sports across the world, and football has been no different. We will get better, but I doubt in my lifetime we'll be world beaters. Just a solid team able to cause the occasional upset is all I need (and a powerhouse in Asia ... we're probably only about the 6th strongest team in Asia now, which we should be pushing higher for).

 

hey not so much has changed

we where the underdogs at the world cup

now where underdogs at our own asian cup!

love it!

 

I think at the moment some where around the 50 to 60 mark is probably representative of Australia. I would imagine through the world cup qualifiers we could hopefully rise to around the 30 mark (I think that is a good aim for Australia).

Although I do like Ange's current set no limit policy at the moment.

 

We'd have to play well through the Asian qualifiers I 'd imagine. We'd probably fair best if we drew at least two teams ahead of us (but I dare say the pool will split so we only get one ahead of us).

 

We wont draw any teams ahead of us until the 3rd round.

 

If the rankings didn't mean so much for tournament seedings and such I think people would not even play attention to these rankings. They are not worth the paper they are printed on (or screens they appear on?)

 

Although I do expect things to change by April, if the draw for the next WCQ was held on these rankings its possible to have Japan, South Korea or Iran, and Australia in the same group.

 

Here is the March ranking:

1. Iran 627
2. Japan 575
3. South Korea 566
4. Saudi Arabia 562
5. UAE 517
6. Australia 506
7. Uzbekistan 484 (They have a home friendly game against Lebanon. If they win, 484 points. If they draw, 474 points. If they lose, 469 points.)
8. Qatar 441
9. Jordan 414
10. Iraq 371
11. Korea DPR 356
12. China 351
13. Oman 342
14. Kyrgyzstan 324
15. Turkmenistan 298
16. Palestine 290
17. Thailand 288
18. Syria 279

They always use the last ranking for final seeding before draw. So the April ranking will be used for final seeding most likely.

Australia does not need to win both of its March matches in order to advance to the next round but to maximize the chance of returning to Asia’s top four and getting a better draw for the next phase of qualifying, Australia must win both games. Also Iran does not need to win both of its March matches in order to advance to the next round but we must win both matches to assure the first seed.

The results of March matches are very important for April ranking especially the result of Uae vs. Saudi Arabia match.

 

Starting to look more realistic.

 

Onwards and upwards hopefully. Wins really help rankings, draws don't help much at all

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

 

I think the ranking for Australia is starting to reflect reality. Under Ange, we are definitely a team in the top 50 and that is being generous to the other nations.

 

I must admit I came to a realisation in the game against Japan.

Every other time we've ever played Japan (even with our golden generation) my mentality would be, "Oh I hope we can get a win here"

However, this time my mentality was "We should win this"

Could our rankings perhaps be better under a more defensive structure?? Maybe ... what Ange has captured is the Australian spirit, we don't go into a sporting contest hoping for a draw or to sneak a win. We go into the contest expecting a win. Watching the Socceroos now this is the mentality I have of them. We may not have the cattle of a golden generation (we don't have a single world class player in the team) yet I have never seen Australia play so dominant, and really bring that belief of winning!!

 

- this post started the thread, posted ,Mar 15, 2007

- posted Friday


Come a long way in a decade, haven't we ?

 

Guess it is encouraging it isn't any worse ... ??