06/30/2002
YOKOHAMA, Japan – Oliver Kahn showed that even superstar goalkeepers make
mistakes.
Hours after being honored as the World Cup's top goalie, Kahn fumbled a
shot midway through the second half that allowed Ronaldo to score the
goal that set Brazil on its way to a record fifth championship with a
2-0 victory Sunday.
The German goalkeeper had twice foiled Ronaldo in the first half.
Kahn wasn't the only one to blame for the goal.
The sturdy German defense, which had allowed only one goal in the
previous six World Cup games, also lost concentration for a moment, but
it was enough for the Brazilians to strike.
Kahn had been the hero of Germany's unexpected run to its seventh World
Cup final. But after the rebound goal in the 67th minute, he found
himself helpless against Ronaldo again 12 minutes later.
German coach Rudi Voeller had just moved to bolster his attack,
replacing defensive midfielder Jens Jeremies with forward Gerald Asamoah.
When Kleberson sent the ball from the right and Rivaldo let it slip
through, Ronaldo was unmarked at the edge of the penalty area, with
Asamoah a few yards behind. The Brazilian star had all the time he
needed to take a well-placed shot, driving the ball past the diving Kahn
just inside the left post for his eighth goal of the tournament.
Earlier in the tournament, the German defense had allowed chances as
well, but it had an inspired Kahn stopping everything as the last man.
Voeller said before the final that Germany couldn't expect to contain
the vaunted Brazilian attack the entire game. He was right.
The Brazilians created several good chances in the first half, but Kahn
met them all.
Ronaldo went clear on a well-timed pass by Ronaldinho but, with only
Kahn to beat, he prodded the ball wide of the far post with his left
foot.
With 30 minutes gone, Ronaldo had his second chance, although it was far
more difficult.
The Inter star swapped passes with Ronaldinho on the edge of the area
and couldn't quite reach the return ball with clean contact, as Kahn
raced off his line to gather it in.
In first-half injury time, Roberto Carlos drilled in a low cross from
the left. Ronaldo turned past his opponent and fired a powerful
left-foot drive that Kahn blocked with his leg.
The only time he was beaten, by a fierce Kleberson shot, Kahn was saved
by the crossbar.
But in the end, a great tournament turned sour for Kahn, the 33-year-old
Bayern Munich goalkeeper.
As the final ended and the Brazilians ran all over the field to
celebrate, Kahn leaned on the left post and stared straight ahead.
Voeller and his teammates came to console him, but he just kept staring.
Kahn then sat down, his back to the post, spending a few more minutes
deep in thought.
Kahn finally got up, walking slowly away. Hearing the cheers of German
fans, he turned around and applauded. As the award ceremony unfolded,
Kahn walked dejectedly ahead of his team as the captain to be the first
to receive the silver medal.
As the jubilant Brazilians walked up the podium to receive the trophy,
Kahn stood apart from his teammates, watching with a stone face. Voeller
then walked over, put his arm around Kahn's shoulder and spoke to his
goalkeeper. Kahn barely acknowledged and kept staring into the distance.
Midfielder Dietmar Hamann was stripped of the ball just in front of the
area by Ronaldo. Thomas Linke made a halfhearted attempt to block Rivaldo,
turning sideways as the Brazilian took the shot with no German defender
trying to follow Ronaldo.
