STUTTGART, June 22 - Australia's nerve-jangling 2-2 draw with Croatia that put them in the last 16 of the World Cup encapsulated everything about the Socceroos and summed up the pure sporting theatre that is football's showpiece event.

Australia coach Guus Hiddink's collection of honest professionals twice trailed in a game they could not afford to lose, but on both occasions they simply rolled up their sleeves and hammered away at the door to earn a priceless point.

In doing so they set up a dream second-round tie against the aristocrats of Italy and a chance to continue an extraordinary journey that began with a penalty shootout victory over Uruguay in a World Cup playoff in November.

If Italy did not realise it already, they are in for one hell of a battle in Kaiserslautern on Monday.

Australia's players do not have their faces plastered all over Germany's famous landmarks like the Brazilians and Argentines, but what they may lack in star quality they more than compensate for with guts and endeavour.

In the likes of Brett Emerton, Craig Moore, Mark Viduka and Lucas Neill they have men who will run through brick walls for the gold shirt, a quality that applies to all 23 in the squad.

FORCEFUL FOOTBALL

For the second time at this World Cup Australia overwhelmed opponents with a forceful brand of football that combines pace, power and no little skill.

Trailing 1-0 to Japan in their Group F opener, Dutchman Hiddink gambled on all-out attack and his team snatched a 3-1 victory with a late brace from midfielder Tim Cahill.

On Thursday they were rocked by Darijo Srna's third-minute free kick but dominated the rest of the half and deservedly drew level when Moore converted a penalty.

When they trailed again to Niko Kovac's second-half goal, Hiddink went for broke by sending on three attacking players in John Aloisi, Marco Bresciano and the giant Josh Kennedy.

Croatia's defenders were a bundle of nerves every time Australia attacked.

Though Croatia did have chances to seal victory, there was a sense of inevitability about Harry Kewell's equaliser 11 minutes from time which sparked wild celebrations among the thousands of Australian fans in the stadium.

Kewell has had an indifferent time with club side Liverpool, often drifting out of games, but on Thursday he was leading the charge alongside former Leeds United team mate Mark Viduka.

Croatia played their part in what will be regarded as one of the tournament's most memorable matches, but in the end they were just swallowed up by a yellow Aussie tide.

In some ways their attacking 4-3-1-2 formation with strikers Dado Prso and Ivica Olic being supported by advanced midfielder Niko Kranjcar also played a part in their undoing.

Overwhelmed in midfield, they conceded territory too easily to Australia as they tried to hang on to the lead that would have taken them through to the knockout phase.

They were inviting trouble and Australia's never-say-die attitude provided it in spades.