Thanks to a late second half goal from Harry Kewell, Australia advanced to the knockout round of the World Cup after a 2-2 draw with Croatia at their last Group F match here on Thursday.

After beating Japan 3-1 at their group opener, a draw would be enough to send Australia into the second round. Knowing this well, the Australian never gave up their desire of searching for the goal.

"It feels great. What a great game tonight, you could not ask for more, " said captain Mark Viduka.

Kewell headed home a dramatic equalizer in the 78th minute after receiving a cross from Brett Emerton through a free kick just right out off the box.

Earlier, Croatia looked half a step into the next round as playmaker Niko Kovac's long shot found the net in the 56th minute when it hit goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac who should handle easily, but the ball popped up and went behind him and into the goal, giving Croatia a 2-1 lead.

Croatia had the dream start when Darijo Srna sent a blistering free-kick into the top left-hand corner only two minutes into the game.

"They scored a terrific free-kick and we were one nil down. But I know this team has enormous mental power to be able to come back," said Australian coach Guus Hiddink.

Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar said "We missed our chances. We didn't play the way we wanted to after an early lead."

Viduka was left to rue his mistake after conceding the free-kick with his challenge on Kovac and setting up Croatia's first goal of the tournament.

"It's very difficult when you cop a goal that early but we knew if we kept our composure we could do some damage. We showed we had the spirit to do it," added Viduka.

Australia saw the light in the 38th minute when Stejpan Tomas was fouled inside the area and a penalty was awarded by referee Graham Poll.

Center back Craig Moore stepped up to the spot and quite confidently slammed the ball into the net to equalize and put the Aussies back in position to qualify for the next round.

Forward Viduka almost found the net at the last moment of the first half when he headed Scott Chipperfield's cross from the left on goal, but it's right at keeper Stipe Pletikosa.

Croatia finally found the pace when Olic failed to make a connection with his head after a cross from right side, but only witnessed the shot was denied by Kalac three minutes into the second half.

It was more misery for Croatia as Dario Simic was red-carded for a second bookable offence after his rash challenge on Kewell in with less then 10 minutes to go.

"My players sat back on it although I instructed them otherwise," added Kranjcar.

Croatia's Simic and Australia's Emerton were sent off before Josip Simunic was finally dismissed after being shown three yellow cards.

"I don't want to comment on the refereeing. Australia got the result they wanted and that's all there is to it," said Kranjcar.

"We missed our chance to secure a second round berth against Japan (0-0). If we had won there a draw would have been enough for us today. "

Australia saw Cahill's goal disallowed in the dying minute and Croatia's Simunic got his second yellow card before referee Poll blew the final whistle on this Group F decider.

And it was Australia who went through to the last 16 as runners-up to Brazil.

Croatia and Australia have met each other four times, all in

friendly international matches. Croatia have won once, Australia

twice, with one match drawn. Their last meeting was in 1998 when

Croatia crushed the Aussies 7-0.

Source: Xinhua