Arsenal's Jens Lehmann will be the starting goalkeeper for Germany in the World Cup while Bayern's Oliver Kahn will stay on the bench, coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "This was the most difficult decision of my time as coach," Klinsmann said in a statement posted on the website of the German Football Federation. "After the 4-1 victory over the USA we studied the situation and reviewed the past 22 months before taking this decision." Goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke echoed similar sentiments when he said: "Both goalkeepers have extraordinary ability but we are convinced that Lehmann fits better with our playing philosophy."
Kahn Lehmann and Kahn, both 36, are in a long rivalry over Germany's starting position and were reportedly engaged in several bust-ups during the training camps of their national team. After the decision was announced, Lehmann said he will do his best to be up to the challenge. "I am happy that the decision was in my favor," said Lehmann, who kept a clean sheet for a record of eight successive games in the UEFA Champions League this season. "Now, I will work even harder than before to defend Germany's colors and reward the coach's faith in me."
