The boffins have broken football again.
How is it possible to win two games – World Cup qualifiers – in the space of a month, score 10 goals, concede 0 and still drop two places in the latest Fifa rankings?
That is exactly what has happened to Belgium after the release of the latest rankings list from on high in Zurich.
Fifa’s latest proclamation of the world’s best teams sees Argentina continue to sit pretty while Belgium drop from second to fourth. Germany are now second and Brazil have climbed to third.
In the space of four days, Belgium defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-0 and put six on Gibraltar. That improved their overall ranking points but notable wins for Germany and Brazil have seen them left behind.
‘What about Ireland?’ you ask. Martin O’Neill’s side have dropped to 33rd overall. That is a slide of two places.
Ireland also won both of their qualifiers – Georgia and Moldova – this month but have somehow got less points [774] than September [776]. The only explanation for this is that previous, historical results lose their points value as time goes on. For example, each point we earned for beating Germany eeks away with each passing day.
If you are looking for a pick-me-up, though, look no further than our next opponents, Austria.
The Austrians have dropped four places to 30th after losing 3-2 to Serbia and drawing 2-2 with Wales.
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland are 36th [-6], England remain 12th, Wales are down one to 11th and Scotland are 57th [-13].
In the latest GAA Hour, we talk to Ken McGrath of Waterford and with Declan Brennan about a new club players’ association.
