Kahn will continue despite snub
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has dismissed speculation he will retire from international football.
Kahn, 36, has been told he will be first-reserve to his great rival Jens Lehmann at the World Cup finals.
"It's important for the national team, in spite of the difficult situation for me, that I should want to be at the World Cup," Kahn said.
"It's not about Oliver Kahn, not about personal need or vanity, it's about something much bigger - the World Cup."
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been impressed by Lehmann's recent form and has decided to give the Arsenal stopper the nod.
"I have worked very hard for two years to reach the personal goal which I can now no longer reach," Kahn added.
"What we need now is a positive atmosphere, a euphoria that will make it possible for us to be world champions. I would like to play my part in that."
But the man whose heroics helped Germany reach the 2002 World Cup final insisted it was not in his nature to be a quitter.
He continued: "That's something I don't know how to do, to crawl away quietly, I don't do that.
"I have never run away from responsibility.
"The team, and that also includes Jens Lehmann, will have my absolute support and if I am needed I will be 100% there."
