re: "The standout team for me so far in this World Cup is Mexico."
Along with Mexico.. Russia and Belgium have both looked very good too. Don't forget Spain and Portugal worth a mention imo.
---------------------- Samara, Russia: The Socceroos need to keep their nerve, stick to their game plan and improvise at the right moments if they are to beat Denmark and give themselves a major chance to progress to the World Cup's round of 16, says goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
And Glasgow Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic could have a crucial role to play as Australia seek to break down what is sure to be a stubborn Danish defence on Thursday night in Samara.
Ryan, who was unfortunate to be beaten only by a penalty and an unlucky deflection of Paul Pogba's looped shot when Australia lost 2-1 to France in Kazan last weekend, is optimistic about his team's prospects.
''It's very upbeat,'' he said. ''We took a lot from the performance and the effort we put in.
''If there was anyone with any little bit of doubt or didn't believe that we could come here and do the country proud and more than hold our own in the tournament and be competitive and have ambitions to make the next round, I think they have been answered with what we showed the other day.''
Breaking down the Danes and securing three points is now the pressing task.
''There are all little statistics and patterns which happen , strikers having goal droughts ... all it takes is one game for all that to change. We score a couple of goals against Denmark and we look convincing, all of a sudden it's not an issue any more,'' he said.
''We believe we have the quality in the squad and we know the game plan. If we execute it to the level required, I am confident we will score goals.''
The key will be the way the Socceroos keep things tight at the back, play through the Danish midfield and rely on Rogic - or whoever replaces him if he is left out - to make something happen in the final third.
''We have noticed that there is avenues we can explore,'' says Ryan.
''Playing out from the back, if we are moving the ball quickly from the back in between the lines through our passing lanes, hopefully bringing players like Tommy Rogic into the game with balls to feet playing through the lines where he can turn and get at the defence ... if it is Tomi that's playing.
''We know that one full-back likes to get forward more than the other, so in behind the left-back we are looking to penetrate as well. Hopefully it will all come to fruition on Thursday.''
Ryan says that the standard demanded was set last Saturday.
''That France game was the benchmark,'' he said. ''The challenge is to emulate what we did there and then some.
''Our style is to prepare us for any opponent we are facing. We have full confidence in that. All our attention is focused on Denmark.
''We are doing everything we can to prepare for what we are facing. He (coach Bert van Marwijk) prefers to focus on ourselves and what we are going to do, not focus too much on what the opposition is going to do.
''He prefers to have our way of playing down to a 'T'. He is confident that if we do that then we are going to be the side asking all the questions.''
