1-1 39th minute.

Croatia 2-1 57th minute.

Where oh where is thy Schwarzer!?

EQUALISER 2-2

Was it confirmed that the Croatian guy ended up with three yellow cards before he was sent off?!

Our penalty looked unjustified, but it made up for the lack of call for Viduka.

You're up bright and early Isaac.

He did receive three yellow cards. The last one was a second caution.

Anyway bring on the Italians.....

Kalac sucked hard in goal but he will have to play in the next game because he would be better suited to the Italians from playing in the Serie A comp himself.

He looked nervous as you would be I guess. Lucky that where there is Kewell there is a way.

Does anyone think Ned Zelic has sour grapes after his unwillingness to play for Australia a few years back ?

I think the non call on the Kewell off-side was justice. Kalac had a shocker, to be honest he wasn't called on to do that much, but what he did do he did poorly. Obviously the 2nd goal was horrendous, the first goal was a great strike but perhaps Schwarter would have set the wall up differently? His fumble on the corner in the first half was terrible too, but the bottom line is that we got through and all will be forgiven and forgetten. He won't see any more action this world cup though.

He was clearly overawed by the sense of occassion, he's a reserve keeper in Serie A, surely Schwartzer was the better option with his position as first keeper in the Premier League, he's played in big games, UEFA Cup final a month or so ago for instance (although he did let 4 past him!!). Oh well, who cares, we're through and that's all that matters, bring on the Iti's!!!!

We cannot play Tunisia or Saudia Arabia, they are flying their asses back home....

I think Cahill was clearly fouled and the penalty rightly awarded. The defender grabbed him by the back of the neck and pushed hiim forward, and Cahill may well have gotten to that ball. There could (and would have on other days) been 3 penalties awarded to Australia, but the reason so much is going on in the box is the precedent that has been set in early games. I've always considered Harry Kewell to be the most important cog in the Aussie line up, and I think he confirmed it today

as long as the socceroos advanced to the second round, it didn't matter who was in the goal when the final whistle blew. what a great day to be Australian!!!

Some good posts here.

1. Lockstock - first penalty was for handball NOT a foul on Cahill (although he was) And yes we should have had 3. The "rugby" tackle on Viduka early on was a disgrace not to be given.And another handball near the end but it was scrimmage and the ref could have been unsighted. I didn't notice it until they replayed it after the Aussies who were close all started appealing for it.

2. Re Harry - he is important, but not as important to us as Lucas Neil is. He is a dynamo at the back and holds us together. No wonder Barcelona are making enquiries.

On Harry - he is not anywhere near as potent playing through the middle. Always dangerous when wide left and I just cannot work out why the "super coach" has still to work that out.

3. Re Kalac - yes a surprise but 2 things, firstly he is Croatian and just maybe Guss thought that there was a little more motivation. And secondly Croatia has all tournament only looked dangerous with high balls into the box. Kalac is usually better than Schwartzer coming off his line. Not last night though, I really felt sorry for him, I think he'll be watching the rest of the tournament.

I said in another post, that Croatia was THE danger game. I really fancy us against Italy, and as 86206 said we ARE in the right half of the draw.

Fingers crossed.

And coach Guss would have a huge smile on his face with a $850 000 bonus for making the next round.

Great result for Australian Soccer

We had to deal with a disgracefull referee and a shocking keeper. Why Schwarzer who is the main reason we are in Germany is a mystery.

He must play against Italy and with a half fair referee we are a huge chance. A lack of respect is being shown as we are quoted at 6-50.

PS Kalac sits on the bench at Inter Milan so this does not qualify as playing in Serie A

Fiji. So right about Lucas Neill, what an awesome defender. Surely would have to be inconsideration for the all tournament team. Losing Emerton for the Italy game is huge though IMO. Without 2 first choice defenders (Popovic, Emerton)everyone again needs to step up to the plate.

This was on the ninemsn website:

Schwarzer axed for 'past performances': Hiddink
Friday Jun 23 08:45 AEST
Australia coach Guus Hiddink axed first choice goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and it almost cost the Socceroos a place in the second round of the World Cup.

Schwarzer was benched in favour of AC milan reserve Zeljko Kalac who had a nightmare match in the 2-2 draw against Croatia and was at fault for their opponents' second goal which could have knocked them out of the tournament.

"I had to make a choice," said Hiddink who explained that Schwarzer was dropped because of "past performances".

Kalac allowed a speculative 56th-minute drive from Niko Kovac to bounce over him and into the goal.

That gave Croatia a 2-1 lead and one foot in the next round until Harry Kewell levelled for Australia 12 minutes from the end to earn the point they needed to qualify from Group F.

"Kalac learnt quickly that you have to concentrate all the time at this high level," said the coach.

"He committed little mistakes which cost us dear."

Sacked for past performances??? i think Kalac needs to get sacked for this one.

Without getting too far ahead, but I'm allowed too, I'm a fan, not a player or coach, but if (when?) we beat Italy, I think we'll play either Ukraine or the winner of Korea and Switzerland.

Beyond that, it's either Germany, Sweden, Argentina or Mexico. Win that and we're bloody in a World Cup final. Any one make money on Aussies getting into next round?

Yes I did I will be backing us to beat Italy Centrebet odds currently 6-50 in a 2 horse race

Which games exactly did Schwarzer perform badly in. Did he not keep a clean sheet in the qualifier and save 2 penalties and then have a blinder against Holland???????

I can't disagree with the Lucas Neill comment. He has been amazing back there, and despite some edgy moments so has Craig Moore who has found some form of late. I still think Harry is the key going into the knockout stage though. IMO in the last 4 years when Harry has been on his game Australia are a much better team. Definitely needed down the left, and get Brescianno in the middle.

I think this photo says it all. Go Socceroos! Great day for Australia.

Quotes from Kalac pre-World Cup about being back up keeper to Schwarzer.

"I think he's more worried than I am. He's got somebody on his back now. His form hasn't been the best and he knows it. So now with me coming in to play against Greece, it's not as easy as it was for him when his selection was somewhat automatic. That's not the case any more, and some people feel the pressure when it's like that."

"I don't feel any pressure, I've showed what I can do," said Kalac, when asked after a third day of high intensity training whether he was also feeling the pressure. "All I've ever wanted is equal opportunity and that's what I'm getting now."

Rock to hide under anyone?

Stupid comments indeed! I think we all know who feels the pressure in pressure situations now

Yep, he sure showed everyone what he could do in a pressure situation. I think he's guaranteed Schwarzer's selection is automatic again.

I think we should give Kalac a bit of a break. He only made 2 mistakes, 1 cost us a goal I know and one he came for in the first and didn't get, which nearly did as well.

But surely we all know its THE position where mistakes are punished, and you get made look silly.

Other mistakes get hidden in the flow of the game eg. what about Viduka giving the ball away in the middle of the park because he couldn't pass it 5 yards to Grella, then chasing back the Croation bloke fouling him and its 1 nil after 2 minutes.

Or our best player Lucas Neil completely miss judging a header in the last 3 minutes in the box, and thankfully their striker missing the target.

Kewell missing an open goal against Brazil with no goalkeeper in there. Kewell completely missig the ball against Uruguay, but luckily it fell at Bresciano's feet for the goal that got us there.

Mistakes happen all over the field but the uneducted only remember those made by the goalkeepers.

I think Zelc will now be a spectatorfor the remainder of the tournament, which will spell the end of his career, a high price to pay for a couple of mistakes that field players make all the time but get away with.

And a final point for those who have followed the EPL this year, remember one Mark Schwartzer letting one straight through his arms and between his legs this year for Middlesborogh.

Shit happens, but we are through, stick with positives!!

Agree totally Fiji, like blaming basketball player for missing foul shots after the buzzer. What about missed layup in first two minutes from teamate?

I just thought it was funny finding those quotes from him about pressure etc.

Who's screwing who now?

Not safe for work, if you're a prude - photo of a Croatian fan with an Australian blow-up doll

Those three photos say

1 - Damn, that guy can jump!
2 - Damn, Aussie chicks are hot
3 - Damn, Croatians have a messed up sense of humour.

Here you go

Fiji, the main point is.... Zalac was average at best this morning, making mistakes in a World Cup game, that could have knocked us out of the tournament! You can bag Schwarzer for mistakes in the EPL but the dude has done nothing wrong in lead up games and World Cup fixtures.....Go Mark Schwarzer!

86282, you should be able to find it by using the search in the orange bar near the top of each thread.

Don't tell me, the Croatian gave her a little prick, she farted and flew out of the stadium.

I posted this comment on the Soccer Vs AFL thread earlier.

- AFL goals are like 'kissing' whereas a Soccer goal is like an orgasm. -

Heard on ABC 891 this morning.

Johnno, Centrebet is not a charity.

You're right, centrebet will be paying out dividends when your mob go down in a crying heap!

AUS don't get your ambitions mixed with your capabilities son.

ITA - i reckon we'll see you in Green and Gold on July 1, sport.

I will be wearing blue champ... I still have my Italian shirt from 82. But if Australia win... as punishment i will gladly buy an australian jersey, and you can all point and laugh.

Talking about centre bet. What was the last call in the croatia Australia game? He blew the whistle for what appeared to be a penalty whilst the ball was in the net. Either the goal should stand or Australia be awarded a penalty. This period also gave the ref an opportunity to give a 3rd card.

Now if you had put $1000 for Australia to win, do you still want your penalty kick?

As for Kalac, he speaks fluent croatian, does this give him an advantage in the box? Schwarzer saved how many penalties for Mid and Aust in the past year. I think with all games going to penalties in a draw we really only have the Schwarzer choice!

go the socceroos!!!!!!!!!!!!

nice one, if we win against Italy... im buying me a shirt or something, lol.

hurley, read the post again chief, i was pretty clear i thought.