Faced With Brazil's Best, Kharin Keeps His Cool

SANTA CRUZ, California -- Russia's Dmitry Kharin faces a baptism of fire next Monday when becomes the first goalkeeper at the World Cup to do battle with soccer's most feared strike force -- Brazil's Bebeto and Romario. But the English-based Russian, who was brought up in one country of great goalkeepers and now plies his trade in another, is keeping ice cool and says he has nothing to fear. "They are very fine footballers but they are human and footballers, like people, make mistakes," Kharin said in an interview at the Russian headquarters overlooking the Californian beach resort of Santa Cruz. "It is possible to play against them. There is nothing terrible about it. I don't think any of us who came to the World Cup has any fear."Kharin, 25, and team coach Pavel Sadyrin are giving nothing away about how they plan to cope with the talented Brazilians whose skills and artistry contrast with the cold efficiency usually associated with Russian and Soviet sides.Kharin, one of Europe's finest young goalkeepers and now based in London with Chelsea, says he is making no special preparations to deal with Bebeto and Romario in San Francisco's Stanford Stadium and shows no signs of nerves.His first appearance at a World Cup finals is a chance to prove he is worthy of following in the footsteps of two great Soviet goalkeepers -- Rinat Dasayev and Lev Yashin. Dasayev was regarded by some as the world's best in the 1980s and the late Yashin -- the "Black Panther" -- is celebrated as one of the best of all time. Both helped Kharin learn his trade. "Dasayev and I are good friends. He did not teach me as such because we were playing in different teams but I took what was best in him and rejected what I did not like," Kharin said.He never saw Yashin play in a long career which included the 1958, 1962 and 1966 World Cup finals, but was befriended by him after his retirement.Kharin played for three Moscow clubs, Torpedo, Dynamo and CSKA, and won a Soviet cup winner's medal in 1986, an Olympic gold in 1988 and a league championship title in 1991. He moved to Chelsea in 1992. "English football has given me a lot because it is fast and physical especially in comparison with Russia where there is little competition. I have learnt a lot in the physical and mental departments," he said.Erik Thorstvedt, Norway and Tottenham's goalkeeper, rates Kharin as brilliant. He is quick, agile and spectacular. The Russian will be out to prove that in a group which also includes Cameroon and Sweden. But he says he would rather concede three goals and win, than concede none and draw."For some goalkeepers it is a delight if it is a 0-0 draw because they kept a clean sheet even though the team did not win. This is not for me. If we win 4-3 it is more pleasure for me than a 0-0 draw," he said.Kharin will be hoping he does not get the blame for defeat, a fate awaiting all great goalkeepers at some time.Yashin considered quitting when a journalist criticized him after the Soviet side lost in Chile in 1962. Dasayev retired after accepting some of the blame for the Soviet failure in Italy in 1990.