Germany: Oliver Kahn

There cannot be too many goalkeepers throughout the world capable of holding onto their international place after conceding five goals in one game - but Oliver Kahn managed to do just that.

For Kahn, the night of September 1 is unlikely ever to be erased from his memory as Germany suffered arguably their most humiliating defeat on home soil in a 5-1 thrashing by England.

To drop Kahn in the wake of such a disaster would have been unthinkable, a decision which would almost certainly have led to coach Rudi Voller being condemned, such is the esteem in which Germany’s number one is held.

Kahn, who faced England on a night when their finishing was lethal ﷓ in particular that of Michael Owen ﷓ is the cornerstone on which his nation’s hopes of long-overdue success at this summer’s World Cup now rest.

Kahn’s reputation as the best goalkeeper in the world is one few would dare argue with and is an unofficial title which ensures he can be mentioned in the same breath as the legendary Sepp Maier.

It is unfortunate such renown has coincided with Kahn playing for a Germany team regarded as one of the worst in the nation’s history ﷓ by their own high standards ﷓ although he feels the tide is definitely turning.

‘‘We still have the potential to be one of the top sides again, it’s just that we have not got it together in our previous matches,’’ said an optimistic Kahn.

It is such unshakeable belief which has carried Kahn to the very pinnacle of his profession, a journey he embarked on at the age of six in 1975 with home town club Karlsruhe.

Kahn was later inspired that same year by a Sepp Maier goalkeeping collection he received as a present, and so he worked his way up through the ranks before finally making his Bundesliga debut in 1990 under coach Winfried Schafer.

Ironically, Kahn and Schafer will be on opposing sides when Germany meet Cameroon in a Group E showdown in Shizuoka on June 11 as the latter was appointed coach of the African squad last September.

Kahn went on to make his mark under Schafer before signing for Bayern Munich in 1994 for £1.6million, a fee which still represents a Bundesliga record for a keeper.

Over the last eight years Kahn has built up a collection of personal accolades, in conjunction with helping Bayern win a number of trophies, including the European Cup last season when he emerged the hero with three penalty shoot-out saves to help beat Valencia.

International recognition, though, eluded him for some time. Despite making his debut in 1995 against Switzerland, he was forced to act as understudy to Bodo Illgner and then Andreas Kopke at USA 94, Euro 96 and France 98.

When Kopke resigned at the end of the World Cup in France, Kahn was finally given his chance to make the number one shirt his own ﷓ and he has not looked back since.

Now captain, leading Germany to World Cup success would undoubtedly be the crowning glory of his career, although Cameroon, Mick McCarthy’s Republic of Ireland and Saudi Arabia first stand in his way.

Kahn, though, is the type to accentuate the positive and be single minded, which is why he is refusing to rule out the prospect of Germany lifting a fourth world title.

‘‘For me, there is no longer a gap between the strong and weak teams in football any more,’’ said Kahn, who recently signed a new deal with Bayern that will keep him at the club until 2006 by when he is likely to take over from Uli Hoeness as commercial manger.

‘‘Look at Winni Schafer and the way he has been preparing Cameroon for the World Cup. He was my first coach and I know how he can instil in the players a taste for victory.

‘‘Which is why, being realistic, winning the tournament will be very difficult. But on the other hand there are only seven matches separating us from the title, so I will be travelling to Japan and South Korea aiming to win.’’