All Whites surge up rankings 

The Thai Airways All Whites have finished the year as the third best mover in the FIFA world rankings.

The All Whites climbed 36 places to be ranked 95th among the world governing body's 208 member associations on the back of their unbeaten start to 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

New Zealand started 2007 in 131st position and actually dipped to a record low of 156th in September. But Ricki Herbert's men gained a large portion of their 177 points in the FIFA-administered ranking system after World Cups wins over Fiji (2-0) and Vanuatu (2-1 away and 4-1 at home) in October and November respectively.

The All Whites, whose highest position since the FIFA world rankings begun was 47th in August 2002, were the third best movers behind Mozambique (up 53 places to 75th position) and New Caledonia (up 58 places to 118th).

New Zealand face New Caledonia on September 6 (away) and 10 (home) next year in qualifiers set to decide Oceania's representative at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa and for the home and away World Cup playoff against Asia's fifth-ranked team in June-July 2009.

Argentina, Brazil and 2006 World Cup winners Italy hold the top three men's positions at year's end.

Meanwhile, New Zealand are rated 23rd in the women's rankings behind a top three of German, USA and Brazil.

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