Beckenbauer backs Germany

By Phil McNulty BBC Sport Online's man in Japan

Germany and Brazil are the most successful teams in the history of the World Cup.

Amazingly they will meet for the first time in Sunday's World Cup final - a match that will see the ultimate encounter of function versus flair.

And one of the World Cup's favourite sons is confident "his team" will come out on top in this historic encounter.

Germany's Franz Beckenbauer - "The Kaiser" - captained his country to the World Cup on home soil in 1974 and was coach 16 years later when they won their third title.

Beckenbauer believes goalkeeper Oliver Kahn is crucial in the battle to stop the brilliant Brazilian trio of Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.

In the build-up to the final Kahn was named among the top 10 players at the World Cup and Beckenbauer labelled the Bayern Munich man as "the best in the world."

"The most spectacular player of the World Cup has been Oliver Kahn," he said.

"He has been fantastic from the beginning of the tournament and has conceded only one goal so far.

"Kahn is, quite simply, the best goalkeeper in the world. It will be very difficult for Rivaldo and Ronaldo to beat him.

Kahn is crucial to Germany's hopes

"I think it will be a great final because both teams are in very good shape.

"Brazil played excellently against Turkey and deserved to win.

"Germany have been very impressive, particularly against South Korea, and also fully deserve to be in the final.

"I want Germany to win, of course, but perhaps the most important thing about a game on a stage like this is to show the world what a beautiful game football is.

"I think it has been a very impressive World Cup so far. I think Asia has risen to the occasion.

"Everyone was curious about how it would work, especially with two host countries, but we have seen it has worked and it has been wonderful."

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