Ugly German goalkeeper row eclipses win against Iran

Germany celebrated their 2-0 victory over Iran on an overnight flight from Tehran yesterday but arrived home with a mean hangover because of a raging goalkeeper controversy.

A brilliant performance by Jens Lehmann backed up the Arsenal goalkeeper's statements he should replace Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn as first choice by the 2006 World Cup.

Kahn, the hero of Germany's improbable advance to the 2002 final against Brazil, watched the Iran match on television after new coach Juergen Klinsmann gave Lehmann a chance to audition.

"It's a fortunate problem to have two world class goalkeepers," Klinsmann said in Germany before boarding a flight to his home in California after firing a Lehmann critic, goalkeepers coach Sepp Maier.

Abandoning predecessor Rudi Voeller's loyalty to Kahn despite some shaky performances, Klinsmann stripped Kahn of the captaincy then said Lehmann had an equal shot.

But Klinsmann's plan to let the two battle it out until making a decision shortly before the 2006 World Cup finals Germany is hosting has begun to unravel. Kahn hinted he or Lehmann would have to go, a view shared by Maier who was fired by Klinsmann yesterday.

Maier, who has doubled as coach for Germany and Bayern since 1988, was sacked for speaking out against Lehmann before the match, two months after Klinsmann rebuked him for similar remarks.

After Lehmann said Maier was a "lobbyist" for Kahn, the retired West Germany goalkeeper had shot back that Lehmann should forget about 2006 because Kahn was the better goalkeeper.

"We registered everything that was said and made this decision in the best interest of the team," said Klinsmann yesterday.

"The race between Kahn and Lehmann will stay open until the World Cup in 2006," he added.

Fans have picked up the public squabble. A survey by Bild newspaper found 51 per cent believe Kahn should be dropped while 18 per cent feel Lehmann should be.

Another 31 per cent said there was room for both.