Stuttgart, June 23 (Xinhua) 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 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.
Kewell headed home a dramatic equaliser 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 Kalac who should have handled 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.
Mark Viduka was left to rue his mistake after conceding the free-kick with his challenge on Niko Kovac and setting up Croatia's first goal of the tournament.
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.
Centre back Craig Moore stepped up to the spot and quite confidently slammed the ball into the net to equalise 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 Chipperfield's cross from the left on goal.
Croatia finally found the pace when Olic failed to make a connection with his head after a cross from the right side, but only witnessed the shot denied by Zeljko Kalac three minutes into the second half.
It was more misery for Croatia as Simic was red-carded for a second bookable offence after his rash challenge on Kewell with less then 10 minutes to go.
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.
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.