Harry Kewell finally banished the ghosts that have plagued his career in Stuttgart, smashing home the goal which sealed Australia's passage into the knockout phase 11 minutes from the end of a breathless 2-2 draw with Croatia.

Kewell's strike proved pivotal in a tie that had everything, including referee Graham Poll booking Croatian defender Josip Simunic three times before eventually brandishing the red card after the final whistle.

And for the much-maligned Liverpool star, who famously limped out of the opening stages of the Anfield outfit's thrilling Champions League final triumph over AC Milan 13 months ago with a groin injury, it was a blessed release from the critics who condemn him at every turn.

"People seem to like to criticise me and have a go at me because of the number of injuries I have had," he said. "But I know what I am capable of and so do my team-mates.

"The people who do have a go at me, do not know me. It is on nights like this when I can put it all behind me, get out on the pitch and enjoy playing football."

Kewell's participation in the World Cup had been threatened by an Achilles injury, with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez dubious as to whether the 28-year-old should travel to Germany at all.

Even Kewell admitted doubts over whether he would actually play, offering a word of thanks to the Australian medical staff who have got him out on the pitch during every game of the group stage.

"There were times when I thought I would miss the tournament," he said.

"Even now, there are days when I cannot move my leg. But we have a great medical team here and I cannot thank them enough for helping me get through the tournament."

Thursday's result, which booked a last 16 tie with Italy in Kaiserslautern next Monday, certainly rated higher on Kewell's list of memorable games than the Champions League final.

"I probably have a different view of that night than anyone else," he admitted.

However, for Poll it probably represents the end of his World Cup.

Having rejected a couple of clear Australian penalty claims and also not been informed by his assistant that Kewell was marginally offside when he fired home the crucial goal, Poll was already having a bad night when he brandished a yellow card in Simunic's face for a foul on Kewell.

The Melbourne-born centre-half should have been accompanying previously dismissed team-mate Dario Simic and Aussie defender Brett Emerton into the changing rooms as Simunic had already been shown one yellow card, a fact not lost on Mark Viduka.

"I was sure it was his second," said Viduka.

"I asked Graham how many cards had Simunic received. Graham said only one. It looks like he got it wrong."

Poll did get it wrong - badly wrong by allowing Simunic to remain on the pitch, only realising his error after the final whistle when he produced a third yellow card and promptly dismissed the defender.

However, Viduka insists the Premiership's top official should not be driven out of the tournament for that blunder alone.

"Everybody makes mistakes," he said.

"Graham Poll is a top quality referee. I will not say anything against him."

Australian coach Guus Hiddink described his Socceroos team as 'lion-hearts' after they twice came from a goal down.

"This team has a lion heart," a proud Hiddink said. "It just continues to fight to the end, no matter what."

Hiddink said as soon as he took over the team last year, following its failure to win a single match at the Confederations Cup under former coach Frank Farina, he knew the players were "coachable" but is continually amazed at their will to win.

"They never give up, no matter what happens and that is crucial," he said.

"You also have to have a plan of how you want to play at international level because heart will only get you a certain amount of the way but it certainly helps."

Hiddink, who has previously led his native Holland and South Korea to the semi-finals of the past two World Cups, described the scenes in the Australian dressing room after qualifying for the second round in such dramatic circumstances as "very emotional".

"A lot of the players have not had much experience at international level and a lot of them have not had much success at club level either," he said, explaining just why this result meant so much to the Australian players.

Hiddink described the match as one of the most incredible he had ever been involved with.

"We have seen it all tonight," Hiddink said.

"The game was very hectic with a lot of errors but it didn't matter if you were an Australian fan, a Croatian fan or neutral - it was very exciting."

Australian coach Guus Hiddink described his Socceroos team as 'lion-hearts' after they twice came from a goal down.

"This team has a lion heart," a proud Hiddink said. "It just continues to fight to the end, no matter what."

Hiddink said as soon as he took over the team last year, following its failure to win a single match at the Confederations Cup under former coach Frank Farina, he knew the players were "coachable" but is continually amazed at their will to win.

"They never give up, no matter what happens and that is crucial," he said.

"You also have to have a plan of how you want to play at international level because heart will only get you a certain amount of the way but it certainly helps."

Hiddink, who has previously led his native Holland and South Korea to the semi-finals of the past two World Cups, described the scenes in the Australian dressing room after qualifying for the second round in such dramatic circumstances as "very emotional".

"A lot of the players have not had much experience at international level and a lot of them have not had much success at club level either," he said, explaining just why this result meant so much to the Australian players.

Hiddink described the match as one of the most incredible he had ever been involved with.

"We have seen it all tonight," Hiddink said.

"The game was very hectic with a lot of errors but it didn't matter if you were an Australian fan, a Croatian fan or neutral - it was very exciting."