Bitter Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar believes his country was unfairly denied a place in the second round of the World Cup, following their thrilling 2-2 draw with Australia.

Kranjcar is convinced Harry Kewell's 79th-minute equaliser, the goal which ensured the Socceroos qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, was off-side and was critical of several other refereeing decisions throughout the tense match.

The Croatians twice led in a match they had to win but just could not hold on in the closing stages as the Socceroos completed their second great escape of this tournament, after coming from 1-0 down to beat Japan 3-1 with three goals in the last six minutes in their opening match.

"I thought our team did the best it could but some things have gone against us which prevented us from reaching the second round," said Kranjcar.

"I don't want to comment on the two goals (Australia scored), you (the media) saw it all.

"I haven't seen the footage of their first goal yet (which came from the penalty spot following a blatant handball from Stjepan Tomas) and there is some hint the second goal was scored from an off-side position."

However, despite complaining about some of the decisions which went against his team, the Croatians were fortunate their Australian-born defender Josip Simunic was not sent off earlier.

Simunic received three yellow cards before English referee Graham Poll finally dismissed him in injury-time.

Kranjcar did also admit his side was was responsible for their own downfall.

After scoring in only the second minute, their first goal at this World Cup courtesy of a magnificent free-kick from Darijo Srna, Kranjcar felt his players then sat back and allowed the Socceroos to get back into the match.

He added: "Our players retreated about 35 metres back (after the first goal) and they shouldn't have done that.

"I tried to get them to go forward but they failed to do that and Australia had too much possession (59 per cent to 41 in the first half). It should have been us controlling the game."

Kranjcar also said that his team had blown their hopes of qualifying for the second round in the previous match against Japan, when they drew 0-0 to allow Australia to go into the final game in second place on the Group F table.

"We should have beaten Japan and then we may have only needed a draw (against Australia) to progress," said Kranjcar.

"But we also had chances to win this game and it's Australia that has qualified for the next round."