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Germany's Oliver Kahn has used this year's World Cup to shore up his repuation as the best goalkeeper in the world.
The German captain has made several big saves at this year's World Cup, helping his team win some close games and progress to Sunday's final against Brazil. It's a path that's been made much easier by the fact that the towering Kahn has registered five shutouts in six goals and has only conceded a single goal - and Ireland needed a couple of minutes of extra time to get that one.
However, Kahn is quick to share the credit with his teammates.
"It's not only my performance," Kahn said, "it's the performance of the entire team, of the forwards, of the midfielders and the defenders. I can contribute my part, but I am dependent on the others."
His outstanding play hasn't gone unnoticed, as he is one of 10 players nominated for the Golden Ball award for the best player at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Kahn's brilliant form between the posts for the Germans comes as no surprise. An excellent shot-stopper who is very athletic and is sure-handed when dealing with crosses, Kahn is a model of consistency and is expert at organizing his defenders, as well as providing leadership on the pitch.
"He's the skipper," explains CBC World Cup analyst Jason de Vos. "He's the guy who barks orders to his defenders, and he gets everybody motivated when things aren't going well, and he's there to make the big save when he has to."
Kahn started in the youth system of German club Karlsruhe FC before making his professional debut in the German Bundesliga in 1990. After three seasons, he quickly established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Germany and was awarded with his first international cap on June 23, 1995 against Switzerland.
German giants Bayern Munich came calling, and shelled out a then-record transfer fee for a goalkeeper when it signed him at the start of the 1994/95 season. From that point forward, Kahn became Bayern's first team goalkeeper, backstopping the Bavarian club to four league championships and to the Champions League title in 2002.
Along the way, he's collected several individual awards, including being named German Footballer of the Year in 2000. With a mountain of club accolades to his credit, Kahn now has the chance to add the one international honour that has eluded him thus far: World Cup champion.
And while the task of facing four-time champions Brazil might intimidate most goalkeepers, Kahn relishes the challenge.
"This is the game you get to play maybe once or twice in your career. And you have to play the game of your life, but there is so much pressure. And to beat Brazil, every player has to play the game of his life."
With files from Associated Press
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