Klinsmann hails rivals’ Kahn-do approach

JURGEN KLINSMANN has hailed the peace-pact between his feuding goalkeepers Jens Lehmann and Oliver Kahn as one of his great stories of the World Cup.

Lehmann was handed the number one jersey on the eve of the finals and has been brilliant as the hosts made it the semi-final. The Arsenal keeper was the hero of the penalty shoot-out win against Argentina, in the quarter-final, but will step aside for 37-year-old Kahn to play in the match for third place against Portugal today.

Klinsmann said: “Oliver Kahn will play. We owe him that gesture and no-one in this world would begrudge him that privilege. He has played a vital role, almost like a member of the backroom staff. He has had a great influence on the development and maturing process of the young players. I have spoken to Jens and he has no problem with it. He is full of compliments for Oliver.”