06/09/2004
World-Brazil game no revenge, says Germany's Kahn

Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn could be excused for treating Wednesday's friendly against Brazil as a chance for revenge, but the Bayern Munich number one insists he will approach it just like any other match.

Germany have not played Brazil since a 2-0 defeat in the 2002 World Cup final in Yokohama, in which a blunder by Kahn led to the first of two Ronaldo goals.

"It (the 2002 final) plays absolutely no role for me," the Bayern captain told reporters on Monday. This is just one of several games we will play before the 2006 World Cup (in Germany).

"For me it makes no sense to regard this game as something extraordinary. To talk about revenge would be absurd."

Since taking over as Germany coach in July, Juergen Klinsmann has said that Kahn, facing competition from Arsenal's Jens Lehmann, would not automatically be the number one in goal.

"We will find a reasonable way to deal with it," Kahn said of his rivalry with Lehmann. "What I have to do is confirm over the next couple of years that I remain competitive.

"CLEAR IDEA"

"At the end of the day the most consistent and the better goalkeeper will play."

Klinsmann stripped Kahn of the German captaincy, handing the armband to another Bayern player, midfielder Michael Ballack.

"I'm the captain at Bayern and Michael is the Germany captain," Kahn said on Monday. "I don't have any problems with that. All I'm interested in is being as good as I can."

Klinsmann, Kahn said, had been the right choice for coach.

"He has a clear idea of what has to happen over the next two years," the goalkeeper said.

"You can feel it in training, in the tactical options he chooses and also in our daily programme. The players have more freedom but at the same time they are given responsibilities."

At least Kahn can forget about the Lehmann threat for Wednesday's game.

"If nothing happens he (Kahn) should play the full 90 minutes," Klinsmann said. "It's his game."

07.09.2004 08:24 +0400
BERLIN, Sept 6 (Reuters)