Germany's goalkeeper appeared confident about Jurgen Klinsmann efforts to prepare the team for one of the most important World Cup tournaments in its history, the one it is hosting. "We all have to win our games regardless of who we're playing," Oliver Kahn said, sending a strong message to Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador.

Kahn was speaking to "Deutche Welle" reporter Daniel Martinez when he met him at a bar in Munich. Oliver Kahn said that all teams seeded in Germany's Group A are dangerous in such tournaments and that the match he fears is the opening one.

"Everything's open for both teams, everything's possible. That doesn't mean that the Costa Ricans or the Germans face an easy task. On the contrary, both Germany and Costa Rica will have a tough time winning the game."

"The opening match is a test of nerves, a unique situation. The most difficult part of the World Cup is the beginning. During the first match the pressure is enormous; during the opening match it's even greater. Of course, luck also plays a role," Oliver Kahn said, speaking about Germany's opening game against Costa Rica.

In Germany there is plenty of speculation about the readiness of the team for the World Cup Finals. Klinsmann's comments in November that reaching the quarter finals will be a major achievement for the team flamed press controversy and heavy criticism from the German fans.

Asked about which team he considers to be the favourite to go through the knockout stages, apart from Germany who are considered as favourites to win Group A, Kahn said that there are no favourites in such tournament.

The German international goalkeeper has been in the German national football team since the 1994 World Cup, although he rarely played. Wikipedia is reporting that Kahn's debut appearance with the German national football team was in a match against Switzerland in June 1995. At the time he was the one of the reserve goalkeepers for Bodo Illgner.

Kahn was awarded the Adidas Golden Ball as best player in 2002, while he was the best goalkeeper in the 2002 World Cup Korea/Japan, as only the Republic of Ireland and Brazil managed to score against him. He was also the team's goalkeeper in the Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 tournaments.

"There's no first, second or third for me -- not so far anyway. We all have to win our games regardless of who we're playing. We have to beat Costa Rica, beat Ecuador, beat Poland. It's only really about making it to the next round."

"It's entirely possible (for Germany to win the World Cup). The enthusiasm of 80 million Germans is a very important factor. In the national team you sense that such a goal is doable. I believe we can win the title. I have a lot of confidence in us."

"I have no reason to doubt I will be number one (asked if he is sure whether he will be the team's main goalkeeper) and stand in the goal at the World Cup. Jurgen Klinsmann has said it clearly. I am number one; there's nothing there to discuss."

"I know what the pressure's like and how it is to play in the World Cup. I know what's needed to successfully play in a tournament. Such a situation isn't foreign to me, I've already experienced it with the national team and with Bayern Munich. The training staff knows exactly what my contribution is," Oliver Kahn added.

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