Australia has qualified for the knockout stage of the 2006 World Cup with a 2-2 draw to Croatia in its final Group F match today.Harry Kewell struck a late equaliser in the 79th minute to put Australia into the last 16 of the World Cup where it will meet Italy.Croatia led 1-0 after Darijo Srna scored from a free kick in the third minute.
Australia equalised with a Craig Moore penalty shot after 38 minutes.Croatia's second goal was scored by Niko Kovac in the 56th minute.
In a tense final 10 minutes both teams were left with 10 men as Brett Emerton and Dario Simic were both marched for second bookable offences.
Croatian defender Josip Simunic was sent off on the final whistle for his third bookable offence, referee Graham Poll forgetting to march him a few minutes earlier.
Australia play Italy in a second round fixture in Kaiserslautern on Monday.
