Two New Faces Make International Debut

Before traveling to Rotterdam earlier this month, German coach Jürgen Klinsmann decided to drop the young players like Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger who brought success to Germany, and fame to themselves, during the Confederations Cup. Instead, Klinsmann looked for more experienced players and called Dietmar Hamann, 31, and Christian Wörns, 34, back to the national team.

But after the team's unconvincing play in the Netherlands earlier this month, it seems Klinsmann is returning to his promise to introduce new players to the lineup and revitalize Germany soccer.

Nine players get first cap under Klinsmann

Klinsmann called two new faces into his squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Slovakia and South Africa with Marcell Jansen and Lukas Sinkiewicz promoted from the Under-21 team.

A defender at Borussia Mönchengladbach, 19-year-old Jansen has made only 20 appearances in the Bundesliga while Cologne midfielder Sinkiewicz, also 19, has played just six times in the German top-flight. So far Klinsmann has capped nine new players since taking charge after the Euro 2004 finals and continues to put the emphasis on youth.

But Klinsmann is quick to contest that leaving older players like Hamann off the side should not be counted as strikes against them.

"We know what Didi can do, the criticism after the Dutch draw had no influence " Klinsmann contested. "Last season he was a late starter and went on to win the Champions League."

Team still has experience

Even with the two newcomers, the German side won't be without any experienced players. Captain Michael Ballack and Bernd Schneider will give stability to the midfield while Christian Wörns, who unlike Hamann is still on the current national team roster, usually holds down the defensive end. Up front, Podolski will be joined by experienced strikers Gerald Asamoah, Miroslav Klose and Kevin Kuranyi.

Klinsmann has also decided to stick to his policy of rotating goalkeepers before Germany hosts the World Cup next year, and left Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn off the roster, bringing back Jens Lehmann (photo) back for the friendly trials in Bratislava on Sept. 3 and in Bremen against South Africa four days later.

Kahn not going anywhere

While most nations have an established number one custodian, Germany rotate Kahn and Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann as Klinsmann believes it is good for competition ahead of the World Cup.

Kahn lost his undisputed mantle as the number one keeper after Klinsmann was named German national coach in August 2004 and ever since then some have expected him to step away from the international competition -- a move he calls "absurd."

"Such a move does not correspond to my character," said the Bayern keeper who has won 81 caps for Germany.