SYDNEY, Australia - Australians _ many of whom know more about tries and wickets than headers and corners _ laid claim Friday to a place among soccer's top nations after their team's high-drama advance to the World Cup's last 16.

"It is a great sporting moment," said Prime Minister John Howard, who was among millions of Australians who rose before dawn to watch the Socceroos' claw back against Croatia for a 2-2 draw that sent them into the competition's second round for the first time ever.

Howard was filmed leaping from his armchair and throwing his hands in the air when star winger Harry Kewell landed the second equalizer in the 79th minute. "He is King Harry for all of us now. It was a fantastic performance," Howard told Nine Network television.

More than 3 million of Australia's 20 million people had been expected to watch the game despite its 5 a.m. local time start, Australian rights holder the Special Broadcasting Service said.

The result led radio and television news bulletins on Friday, and at least one newspaper printed a special edition. "YES!" was the front page headline of the special edition of Sydney's The Daily Telegraph.

It also breathed new life into Australia's hopes to host a future World Cup, with two state leaders announcing plans to bring proposal for a national bid to their counterparts next month.

Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam told The Associated Press this week the region should get the competition again in 2018, and Australia, India and China were strong candidates.

"Australia as a continent is enjoying a very strong economy. The infrastructure there wouldn't require much investment," he said. "The governments always support the big events like World Cup _ I believe Australia would host a very good World Cup."

Although proudly sport mad, Australia is a latecomer to the higher echelons of international soccer in the modern era. It is a current or former world champion in rugby and cricket, punches above its weight at the Olympics and in tennis, and last week celebrated Geoff Ogilvy's U.S. Open win as its latest golfing triumph.

But Australia hasn't reached a World Cup finals since 1974, and it's never gone further than the first round _ despite producing players that dot key slots in European leagues.

A slick management team took over the organization of the sport in recent years after an era of mismanagement, and enlisted Guus Hiddink with the single-minded goal of making the World Cup.

It worked.

"Australia is officially an international force in soccer," Australian Broadcasting Corp. announcer Tony Eastley told a national radio audience Friday.

Howard also called it a breakthrough. "For so long we had in Australia hundreds of thousands of young boys, and increasingly girls now, playing soccer ... but somehow or other we couldn't break through into the international scene," he said.

But Australia, who defeated Japan 3-0 and lost to favorite Brazil 2-0 in Group F, is considered the underdog when it meets Italy in the knockout round.

Tens of thousands gathered in winter weather to watch Australia's match against Croatia on giant screens in Sydney and Melbourne. More went to pubs and bars that opened early, and others viewed from home.

At Sydney's Circular Quay, more than 1,000 erupted as Kewell goaled after a tense game.

The triumphant roar echoed across the country.

In downtown Melbourne, more than 10,000 people _ many of them with faces painted in Australia's green and gold colors _ lit flares, waved flags with kangaroos wearing boxing gloves, and hollered their support.

Crowds marched through the streets blocking traffic, singing and turning cartwheels, Australian Associated Press reported.

"I'm proud to be Australian, this is what it means to be Australian," said one Sydney spectator, Adrian Gatt.

Police said 15 people would be charged with minor offenses related to lighting flares and misbehavior.

Among Australia's sizable ethnic Croatian minority, feelings were mixed.

"I'm wearing Croatian colors but when Australia scored the goal I sort of felt more passion," said Steve Jakicic, who watched the game at a Croatian community hall in Melbourne. "I'm proud of my heritage, proud of my background but proud of being Australian."