Hope Powell's side gained an amazing 33 ranking points to move up to 12th place behind Japan, while Germany remain in first place.

After a successful European Championships, where England highlighted the women's game to the nation, The Three Lions are now back on track for qualifying for the 2007 Womens World Cup finals in China.

Powell has seen her side win 11 of their 14 games this season, losing just twice against higher ranked opposition in Denmark and Sweden.

The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the 3-2 win over Finland in the opening match of the European Championships in the City of Manchester Stadium.

Birmingham City winger Karen Carney scored a late winner to give England a dramatic opening day victory at the Women's Euro 2005 in front of a crowd of 29,092, a record European crowd for a competitive women's football match.

Another high point was the emphatic 13-0 win over Hungary in October where eight players got on the score sheet.

The previous best had been 10-0, which was achieved on three occasions, but was comfortably surpassed.

Kelly Smith put her injury woes behind her with a stunning hat-trick with Eniola Aluko, Alex Scott and Fara Williams all scoring a brace. Rachel Yankey, Katie Chapman, Jody Handley and Jo Potter also all chipped in with goals.

The Three Lions' last victory came against Holland thanks to Fara Williams' strike which has put England three points clear at the top of their group to qualify for the 2007 World Cup Finals.

There was more good news when Rachel Unitt, the England left-back, was named in www.womensworldfootball.com team of the year.

The Everton defender was England's only representative in a team dominated by Germany, who had seven players in the side.

26 May 2005
Video: England v Czech Republic highlights

See why England have moved up the FIFA World Rankings by watching their superb 4-1 win over the Czech Republic