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Russia returns to top ten of FIFA ranking
Published: 20 October, 2010, 16:43
Edited: 21 October, 2010, 03:43
RIA Novosti / Iliya Pitalev
TAGS: Sport, Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko , Zhirkov, Football
Russia has climbed into the top ten of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings following back-to-back victories in the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying rounds.
Arshavin and Co were sitting in lowly 25th place after losing to Slovakia in September, but it took them just a month to leapfrog 15 positions and regain a top ten spot. Away wins against the Republic of Ireland and F.Y.R. of Macedonia earned them a record 193 points in October.
Spain and the Netherlands, the two 2010 FIFA World Cup™ finalists, continue to lead the way at the top. Brazil (3rd) and Germany (4th) have traded places just behind them, while European powerhouses France and Italy find themselves at the bottom of the first 20 – at 18 and 16 respectively.
A total of 156 international matches – 80 continental qualifiers and 76 friendly matches – have been taken into account for the October edition of the world rankings, which brings the total number of matches evaluated in 2010 to 641, FIFA.com reports.
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Does Mister Abramovich 's people have something to do with that rating. Considering the valor of its opponents the Russian team did not do extraordinary well (the French team was also of poor quality. If I refer to the World rating, neither France and Russia should be in the top 20. Our French coach (Laurent Blanc) is a gentleman and a former great player; he seems to be fit for the job but will he last in such a atmosphere ? Mr Advocaat has a different and more complex challenge because Russia is so big. He must find for himself a Russian feeling which at his age is not easer to find...I watched both countries ' games and fall asleep at each one. Sincerely...JCM