'Roos jump in rankings

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The positives keep coming for new coach Holger Osieck with the Socceroos climbing three places to 21st in the FIFA world rankings this month.

The Socceroos are undefeated since the German took charge of the team in September and their latest friendly victory against Paraguay in Sydney two weeks ago has seen them rise in the rankings.

The team had slumped to their lowest ranking in a year in September after a 2-0 friendly loss to Slovenia saw the Socceroos fall to 24th.

The new ranking means Australia remain the highest ranked team in Asia, nine places ahead of Japan in 30th.

New Zealand fell out of the world's top 50 after a 2-0 loss to Paraguay and a 1-1 draw with Honduras saw them drop two places to 51st.

World champions Spain maintained their grip on top spot in the world rankings while Croatia and Russia moved into the top 10.

Two wins in their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland helped Spain retain the number one ranking, while beaten World Cup finalist the Netherlands stay second after they also won both their qualifiers in October.

Brazil (third) and Germany (fourth) have traded places just behind them, while Egypt and Chile dropped out of the top 10 at the expense of Croatia and Russia.

Croatia are now ninth after they had consecutive 2-1 victories over Israel and Norway in Euro qualifying, while Dick Advocaat's Russia moved up 15 spots to 10th after wins over Macedonia and Ireland.

Argentina, England, Uruguay and Portugal round out the countries in the top 10.

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