Kahn - birthday boy.

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Germany's captain Oliver Kahn is hoping for the perfect birthday present on Saturday - a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Bayern Munich keeper will lead his side against Paraguay in a second round tie in Seogwipo.

And Kahn, who turns 33 on Saturday, is hoping to blow out Paraguay's World Cup candle, as well as those on his birthday cake.

He said: "We're playing an important World Cup game on my birthday and it's not difficult to guess what I wish as a present."

Kahn also says the squad have been boosted by France, Argentina and Portugal's shock exits at the group stages.

"You can feel that everybody in the team believes we can go a long way in the tournament," he added.

"The fact that several favourites are out and we're still around boosts our confidence. We believe in ourselves."

Kahn will also come face to face with Bayern team-mate Roque Santa Cruz.

The young striker is a favourite at the German club, and Kahn is well aware of his attributes.

He continued: "He's fast and extremely mobile, he's got unique skills and he's great with headers.

"But there's one mistake he mustn't make and that's to score against us. If he does that we'll stop talking to him in the locker room at Bayern," he joked.

Paraguay coach Cesare Maldini goes into the clash confident his side can add to the many upsets in Japan and Korea so far.

Maldini feels it is the turn of the South American's to raise some eyebrows in the far east.

He knows it will be tough in Seogwipo as the two sides come face to face for the first time.

The Italian said: "Germany will be a very tough rival, nobody doubts that, but anything can happen.

"There's nothing impossible in football and we've reached our objective in this tournament."

The South Americans showed their character and team spirit when they booked their place in the last 16 in a dramatic style.

They were down to 10 men and trailing 1-0 to Slovenia before coming back to win 3-1.

That, and South Africa's 3-2 defeat to Spain, meant Merlin's men progressed through from their group by virtue of scoring one more goal.

"I'm very happy with the qualification," added a smiling Maldini.

"We did great against Slovenia, the players played a perfect tactical game.

"With one man less since the first half, it looked really bad. But we had the mental condition to play some really great football."