Wales leap up Fifa rankings

Wales' victory over Italy moved them up 15 places

Wales have made another significant jump up the Fifa world football rankings.

The famous 2-1 victory over Italy in the Euro 2004 Group Nine qualifier has moved Wales up 15 places to 61st position.

But the result at the Millennium Stadium has cost Italy their place in the top 10. The Azzurri have dropped one place to 11th.

For the second successive month, Wales are the most progressive side in the top 100.

  Group 9 fixtures and results

2002

Sept 7: Azerbaijan 0-2 Italy, Finland 0-2 WALES

Oct 12: Italy 1-1 Yugoslavia, Finland 3-0 Azerbaijan

Oct 16: WALES 2-1 Italy

Nov 20:Azerbaijan v WALES

2003

Mar 29:WALES v Azerbaijan, Italy v Finland

Apr 2: Yugoslavia v WALES

Apr 30: Azerbaijan v Yugoslavia

June 7: Finland v Yugoslavia

June 11: Finland v Italy, Yugoslavia v Azerbaijan

Sept 6: Azerbaijan v Finland, Italy v WALES

Sept 10: WALES v Finland, Yugoslavia v Italy

Oct 11: Italy v Azerbaijan, WALES v Yugoslavia

Said manager Mark Hughes: "I can't really take credit for the jump up in places because in the past I haven't really taken much notice of the rankings.

"But maybe at long last they are reflecting the progress we've made."

Only two years ago, Wales slumped to their lowest ever ranking of 113th after losing to Belarus in a World Cup qualifier.

But the result against Italy has certainly won Wales plenty of respect and thrust many of the players into the media spotlight.

John Hartson, who is struggling for a place in the Celtic team, has reportedly attracted interest from two Italian Serie A clubs.

O'Neill wants to keep Hartson

Hughes is not surprised his dominant centre forward has caught the eye, but believes his immediate future remains with the Scottish champions.

"I know John is frustrated at not playing but he loves Celtic Football Club," Hughes told BBC Sport Online.

"I think it'll take a lot for him to move. In an ideal world all our players would be playing week-in-week-out.

"It can be very hard when you're training all week but have nothing at the end to play for.

"It is a worry for us at the moment but hopefully things will settle down in the next month or so."

Yugoslavia, one of Wales' main rivals in their European Championship qualifying group, have moved up four places to 15th.

Finland are in 43rd position and Azerbaijan 111th.

England climb to joint sixth, Northern Ireland are in 98th and the Republic of Ireland stay in 14th.

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Fifa rankings for October (last month's rankings in brackets)

1 (1) Brazil 855 points
2 (2) France 790
3 (3) Spain 779
4 (4) Germany 763
5 (5) Argentina 753
6 (9) England 731
= (6) Mexico 731
8 (7) Turkey 727
9 (12) Netherlands 726
10 (8) United States 719
__________________________
14 (14) Rep Ireland 695
55 (63) Scotland 544
61 (76) Wales 518
98 (98) N Ireland 428