Soccer: The Republic of Ireland have edged towards a return to the world's top-10 soccer nations in the latest official ranking list, moving up two places to 12 at the end of a year in which they beat a couple of the leading six countries and drew with another two.

Brian Kerr's side lost just one game during 2004, an achievement that sees them move above both Denmark and Turkey in the FIFA organised chart. They are now fractionally ahead of Sweden, who have moved up four places over the past 12 months.

While October's draw in Paris was the highlight of the year for the Irish, there were also strong performances against Brazil and the Czech Republic in Dublin friendlies, as well as a memorable win in Amsterdam over the Dutch.

Brazil, France and Argentina continue to occupy the three top positions in the list, while the Czechs, after a strong showing at Euro 2004, have moved up one place to fourth.

England have slipped back one place since last month but end the year unchanged from last December at number eight, while Scotland continued their recent slide, dropping nine places since November and 32 since this time last year.

The Scots, who have recently appointed Walter Smith to succeed Berti Vogts as manager, are now tied with Guinea and Albania for 86th place.

Northern Ireland are up 15 places for the year having reached 107th in the latest list.

Wales have dropped five places in the rankings since November to 68th.

World Rankings: Top 20

(November position in brackets)

1 (1) Brazil 843

2 (2) France 792

3 (3) Argentina 785

4 (5) Czech Republic 777

5 (4) Spain 765

6 (6) Netherlands 758

7 (8=) Mexico 753

8 (7) England 752

9 (8=) Portugal 747

10 (10) Italy 738

11 (11) United States 726

12 (14) Rep of Ireland 716

13 (15) Sweden 715

14 (13) Denmark 711

14 (12) Turkey 711

16 (19) Uruguay 708

17 (18) Japan 707

18 (17) Greece 706

19 (16) Germany 705

20 (20) Iran 697

Other positions

68 (63) Wales 555

86 (77) Scotland 515

107 (107) Northern Ireland 443