The final FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings of 2012 have been released. After a terrifying drop a few months ago, Northern Ireland are now safely back inside the Top 100 of world football. Michael O’Neill’s side are now ranked 96th in the world.
Northern have dusted themselves off after a disappointing drop last month and jumped back up the FIFA World Rankings at the first time of asking. Thanks to a narrow away 2-0 defeat at the hands of Russia and a home 1-1 draw against the higher-ranked Luxembourg, Michael O’Neill’s men have gone a little way to putting right September’s embarrassing dip to 129th in the world.
In June, Northern Ireland actually went up the FIFA World Rankings despite losing 6-0 to the Netherlands at the start of the month. In July, the national football team didn’t play a football match and went up another place or two. August however, saw Northern Ireland play out an exciting 3-3 draw with Finland, and then drop 28 places in the rankings. Northern Ireland are now ranked 129th in the world.
Do you remember that comeback that I said started last month? It has continued through July as Northern Ireland once again rose up the FIFA World Rankings. It is, admittedly, just another single place rise and has happened without the team actually playing a match – but a win is a win. Northern Ireland are now ranked 101st in the world.
For now, Northern Ireland have stopped their dramatic slide down the FIFA World Rankings and even started the journey up them. Admittedly, it’s only a single place and it happened with no football actually being played but it is cause to celebrate a little. Northern Ireland are now ranked 102nd in world football.
Supporting the Northern Ireland national football team from a fresh perspective.
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