USA still blazing a trail

USA still blazing a trail
(FIFA.com) Friday 12 March 2010
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There is no change of leader in this year’s first edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, with the USA blazing a trail ahead of Germany, Brazil and Sweden.

Thanks to their prestigious 3-2 victory over rivals Germany at the Algarve Cup in early March, the US women have extended their lead at the top of the ranking considerably. Canada have made the leap into the top ten at the expense of Denmark as a result of their victory in the Cyprus Women’s Cup. Meanwhile, the Japanese, who share fifth place with Korea DPR, have reached their highest position since the introduction of the ranking.

Nevertheless, Romania have been the biggest winners over the last three months. With Algarve Cup victories over Finland, Austria and the Faroe Islands, as well as a draw against hosts Portugal, the Eastern European team enjoyed a fine showing and have made the biggest move in the world ranking (33rd, up 3).

In all, 105 international matches have been played around the world since the previous edition of the world ranking. Encouragingly, the Algarve Cup, the Cyprus Women’s Cup and above all the many qualifying matches for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011™ have seen 14 teams return to the ranking after what was in some cases a long absence.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be published on 28 May 2010.