Kahn Frustration Understandable Says Klinsmann

Germany's back-up goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has every right to be frustrated by his substitute role at the World Cup, German manager Jürgen Klinsmann said on Monday. The 37-year-old Kahn will be on the substitutes bench again for Friday's quarter-final clash with Argentina and said he was still perplexed at playing second fiddle to Jens Lehmann. "I have told him (Klinsmann) clearly that I will never comprehend why I am no longer number one," said Kahn, who was number one choice when Germany made the 2002 final losing 2-0 to Brazil. "I would have expected a full explanation. But as there has not been one yet, there probably never will be." Kahn was Germany's first choice goalkeeper for eight years before Klinsmann arrived in August 2004 and stripped him of the captain's armband. Kahn, who capped 85 times for his country, was then pitted against Arsenal custodian Lehmann in a battle for the number one jersey -- and lost.

"I can understand Oliver Kahn. He still feels he is the number one and should play at this World Cup," Klinsmann said at Monday's press conference. "I have no problem with that. It is difficult for him to accept his current role so I understand his comments."

So far Kahn has cut a grumpy figure on the substitutes bench for Germany's four World Cup matches, but Klinsmann insists he is still important for the team. "He is playing an important role in our team as are all the other players on the fringes," said Klinsmann. "The further we go in the competition, the more Kahn contributes to our success."