"Our level is quite good, and the goal that was set meets up the ability of the players. The whole country believes that our team will reach the knockout stage," Sychev said in an interview to the Latvian radio station Baltkom.

He added that he was "surprised in a good way" with the results of the World Cup matches.

"The atmosphere at the tournament is festive, and every match... surprises me in a good way... I think Mexico have surprised me most in their encounter with Germany [by beating Germany 1-0], while Germany, on the contrary, disappointed me a little bit," Sychev said.