Lehmann willing to make way for Kahn farewell

JENS LEHMANN has hinted he will make room for arch-rival goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to play in Germany’s third-place play-off match against Portugal on Saturday.

The Arsenal goalkeeper pipped Khan in a hard-fought battle to start the World Cup as Germany’s number one. But after Lehmann produced some great saves in Germany’s 2-0 loss to Italy, he signalled his readiness to grant his 37-year-old rival a World Cup farewell.

“If we wants to play and the coaches have reached that decision, then he has certainly deserved it,” Lehmann told a press conference in Berlin.

“He has acted wonderfully during this World Cup, also showing a few very nice gestures. It would be a great finish for him.”

The 36-year-old admitted it was up to the coaches, and Kahn, to decide.

“I would speak to him because one has to take into consideration the wishes of the players who have not played.”