Ireland's women down two places in FIFA rankings

Ireland have dropped two places in the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking to 31st. This comes after a relatively disappointing Algarve Cup campaign which saw them win just one from four matches.

One of Ireland's Algarve Cup opponents, Wales, have reached a best-ever position of 45th. Portugal have also climbed to 42nd, while the remaining team from group C, Hungary, drop one place to 35th. 

Hungary were the only team Ireland beat in the Algarve Cup this year, with goals from Doncaster duo Julie-Ann Russell and Aine O'Gorman giving Sue Ronan's side a win in the final game and making sure that Ireland didn't finish rock bottom.

There hasn't been much change at the top of the rankings, with the USA still the top ranked team and Germany close behind in second. Japan hold onto their place in third after they first entered the top three in December. England have dropped one place to ninth, while Ireland's Euro 2013 qualifying opponents France and Scotland are ranked sixth and 21st respectively.

Ireland will face Scotland on April 5th, in what could end up being a crucial match in their quest to qualify for Euro 2013 in Sweden.