Speed’s Welsh team earn Fifa accolade

The Wales team managed by the late Gary Speed have been confirmed as the “best movers of the year” in Fifa’s world rankings after moving into the top 50.

Under the stewardship of Speed, who took over in late 2010, Wales rose from 116th to finish the year in 48th place.

Scotland are one spot above the Welsh in 47th (having moved up two places), England finish the year in fifth place, fellow Euro 2012 finalists the Republic of Ireland are in 22nd, and Northern Ireland are 88th.

The top ten in the world are unchanged from last month, with world and European champions Spain in first place ahead of the Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay.