Socceroos defy stubborn Croatians to reach second round

Australia has twice come back from a one goal deficit to defy a frustrating Croatian side and advance to the second round of the World Cup after grinding out a hard-fought 2-2 draw in Stuttgart this morning.

The key moment arrived after 79 minutes when the golden boy of Australian football, Harry Kewell latched on to a flick on by John Aloisi, and fired home past Croatia custodian Stipe Pletikosa from an acute angle to level the score.

Kewell’s reply followed an early strike by Croatian defender Darijo Srna who sent the former World Cup semi-finalists into the lead before Craig Moore coolly equalised from the penalty spot.

However, the Socceroos aspirations and dream soon seemed to unravel mid-way through the torrid affair when Zeljko Kalac, a controversial replacement for Middlesbrough ‘keeper Mark Schwarzer, made a howling error as he fumbled a feeble Niko Kovac shot into the back of the net.

With Kalac granted a starting place due to his aerial superiority which would apparently be vital against the physical Croatians, the AC Milan custodian was less than convincing as he struggled to settle on the grandest stage in world football.

Amid a tense atmosphere at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, the Croatians stunned the Guus Hiddink led Socceroos inside the first two minutes when Darijo Srna curled home a free kick from just outside the area.

With the large number of Croatian fans in raptures, the Socceroos showed much mettle as they sought to restore parity in this ultimate date with destiny.

As Scott Chipperfield dominated down the left flank, Australia were denied a penalty when captain Mark Viduka was brought down in the area by the Australian born Josip Simunic.

English referee Graham Poll waved away protests to the dismay of Australian sympathisers but it wasn’t long before the Socceroos came close to restoring parity when aerial demon Tim Cahill headed into the grateful arms of an impressive Pletikosa.

However, as Croatia struggled to contend with the numerous high balls played into the box and the Socceroos midfield artistry, Australia was awarded a penalty in the 38th minute when Stejpan Tomas handled the ball in the area. Former captain Moore calmly slotted home the equaliser to revive hopes of a potential encounter with three time champions Italy.

At the commencement of the second stanza, Zlatko Kranjcar’s Croatian side rallied placing the Australian back three under siege.

With simple errors creeping into the Australian game, Croatian captain Kovac scored after 56 minutes as he launched a fairly innocuous shot that was handled poorly by Kalac, seemingly sending the Australians on their way out of the tournament.

Nevertheless, displaying a spirit and ‘never say never’ attitude that has so far defined their World Cup campaign, the Socceroos fought back as they stretched the unsteady Croatia defence.

In an attempt to revive Australian chances, master coach Guus Hiddink, sent World Cup qualification heroes Marco Bresciano and John Aloisi into the foray, and their impact was immediate with the Bresciano’s dead ball prowess causing much duress to the Croatian back four.

Content with the one goal advantage, Croatia seemed prepared to merely sit back and absorb wave after wave of attacks until the newly introduced duo of Bresciano and Alaves front-man Aloisi combined to create a chance for the predatory Kewell, as he revived memories of his glory days at Leeds United, when he slammed home the vital equaliser.

The drama filled contest was yet to reach its climax when Dario Simic, Brett Emerton and Josip Simunic, who bizarrely received three yellow cards, were all send off in the final 10 minutes before a late Cahill strike was denied on the stroke of full time to complete a memorable night in Stuttgart.

Australia now face European giants Italy for an opportunity to reach the Quarter Finals.

AUSTRALIA: Zeljko Kalac; Scott Chipperfield (Josh Kennedy 75), Lucas Neill, Craig Moore; Jason Culina, Mile Sterjovski (Marco Bresciano 71), Vince Grella (John Aloisi 63), Brett Emerton; Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell; Mark Viduka (captain).

CROATIA: Stipe Pletikosa; Josip Simunic, Dario Simic, Stjepan Tomas (Ivan Klasnic 83); Marko Babic, Niko Kovac (captain), Igor Tudor, Darijo Srna; Nico Kranjcar (Jerko Leko 65); Ivica Olic (Luka Modric 74), Dado Prso.

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