ZURICH: Holland are back up to second place as closest challengers to World Cup holders and European champions Spain in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.

The Dutch moved back up past Germany thanks to their 3-2 victory in England, which was coupled with a 2-1 defeat by France for Joachim Low’s men.

Argentina (eighth, up three places) have returned to the top ten after a one-month absence, pushing Denmark (11th, down one) out of the coveted positions in the process.

In Asia, 10 matches in the third round of the preliminary competition for the 2014 World Cup have left their mark. Uzbekistan (67th, up 10) sensationally defeated Japan (33rd, down three) by 1-0 to claim top spot in their group, and they now head into round four defending an unbeaten record.

Australia (20th, up two) have also returned to the top 20 thanks to their high-scoring 4-2 victory over Saudi Arabia.

The biggest climbers of the month all come from Africa, however, with the victors of 13 matches in the second round of Africa Cup of Nations 2013 qualifying all securing the most points, and Congo (101st, up 29), Chad (112th, up 29) and São Tomé e Príncipe (115th, up 23) in particular all causing a stir.