Germans say Korea crowd will inspire

Updated: Sunday June 23, 2002 03:46 a.m. ET

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SEOGWIPO, South Korea (AP) -- Oliver Kahn is undaunted at the prospect of a World Cup semifinal against South Korea in Seoul. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper says he expects the game to be one of the most beautiful of his career.

Kahn has conceded only one goal in five games -- the best record in the tournament. His spectacular saves have propelled the three-time champion into the semifinal.

"I've had a lot of big games in my career and I am not sure this is going to be the biggest one," Kahn said two days before the showdown against the co-host.

"But it could be the most beautiful. Just think of the millions wearing red across the nation and the atmosphere in the stadium. We are really burning with desire to go into the stadium and we are hot for the match to start.

"It's going to be incredible. In a way, we wanted to be playing the home team," said Kahn, who won the European Championship with Germany in 1996, and has also won the Champions League and the UEFA Cup with Bayern. He has four Bundesliga titles to his name.

Kahn has been in two World Cups before, but he spent them on the bench. He is grateful he didn't have to face South Korea in 1994 in Dallas, Texas, when Germany won 3-2 in its last group match in torrid conditions.

"It was more than 50 degrees Celsius (122 F), we were playing in the middle of the day. It's probably the only time in my career I would have told the coach I was unable to play.

"We led 3-0 and they came back with two goals and there was still something like 20 minutes to play and they kept on running like crazy. We had great problems then," Kahn said.

The Germans can expect more of the same Tuesday, although they would have enjoyed one more day of rest.

"It's going to be like running a marathon. They go into extra time and seem to run more. This game is going to be all about stamina," Kahn said. "We are in good shape."

It won't be 50 Celsius at the World Cup Stadium but the nearly 70,000 strong boisterous crowd, riding the frenzy created by Korea's dream run to become the first Asian semifinalist, is sure to make it hot for Kahn and his teammates.

The Germans say the crowd will be a source of inspiration and motivation -- and not fearsome.

"It's a dream to be playing against the host team," midfielder Michael Ballack said. "I am really looking forward to the atmosphere in the stadium. It's especially motivating when the whole stadium is against you.

"They sure are a good team and they are playing at home. They'll be riding this great euphoria and it'll be fun to play them," said striker Miroslav Klose, one of three leading scorers at this year's tournament with five goals.

"The fans will carry them. They are like bees swarming all over you. We must not underestimate them," Klose said. "They've shown they can play soccer, they have a great team spirit."

The Germans have been careful not to antagonize the crowd even further.

"The fans are not fanatical, they are not against the other team or the referee. They are very enthusiastic but they are fair, this will motivate our team," said assistant coach Michael Skibbe, who attended South Korea's penalty shootout victory over Spain on Saturday.

"It was a very impressive experience, the atmosphere was just extraordinary," Skibbe said.

Germany, seeking to equal Brazil's record of four World Cup titles, could be without Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who twisted his knee in the final minutes of the match against the United States.

"Our doctors are working feverishly on his knee but it's too early to say if he'll be able to play. There are a few other minor injuries, but Hamann is surely questionable," Skibbe said.

After Portugal, Italy and Spain, can South Korea upset another European power?

"As we go on, I think we can beat any team ... including Germany," defender Hong Myung-bo said after the dramatic win over Spain. "I can't tell the difference between a dream or reality."

The Germans have taken notice.

"Portugal, Italy, Spain -- what more can you say? We have been warned," Kahn said.