Ireland slide in world rankings

Germany’s 6-1 thumping of Ireland last month was enough to dump Giovanni Trapattoni’s team out of the Fifa top 30 but not enough to take the Germans to top spot, which is still occupied by world and European champions Spain.

Despite a restorative 4-1 win in their subsequent World Cup qualifier in the Faroes, the Republic have tumbled eight spots to 36 in the latest rankings, a week before they take on Greece in a friendly game at the Aviva Stadium.

But the trend is definitely upwards for neighbouring Northern Ireland who, under the stewardship of former Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill, rose 17 places to 100 on the back of a surprise 1-1 draw away to Portugal.

The Portuguese drop one place, relinquishing third sport to Argentina, with Spain and Germany unchanged ahead of them in positions one and two respectively.

England have been replaced by Euro 2012 finalists Italy as the fifth team in the world’s top five.