Thousands set their alarms early, or merely extended their night of drinking, to gather in Melbourne's Federation Square and watch their side claim the draw they needed against Croatia in a match starting at 0500 local time in Germany [Images].

The timing of the game in Stuttgart prompted a surreal mix on Melbourne's early rush-hour streets.

Sober-suited commuters stood beside giddy late-night drinkers draped in the country's green and gold colours to unite in a nation more accustomed to success with an oval ball.

Against authorities' wishes, flares were let off with each of Australia's two goals and the inevitable "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!" filled the morning air

As Australia hung on in the dying minutes after Harry Kewell's late goal brought the scores to 2-2, the tension was palpable and the final whistle brought an ecstatic response.

"We knew we could do it, we're going all the way now," said Andrea Thornhill, 16, two small Australia flags painted on each side of her face.

Other fans paid tribute to Kewell, one of Australia's most famous footballers who plays for English Premier League club Liverpool.

"Unbelievable, Harry Kewell is a legend," said Hugh Bowen as he celebrated in central Sydney. ""Aussies are going to win the Cup.

MUTED MOOD

The mood was more muted at the Australian Croatian Association breakfast, where green and gold freely mingled with the red and white checks of the disappointed Croats.

"I've supported Croatia all my life, and in the World Cup, because Australia has never got there," said Peter Proksa, who was two the last time the Aussies made the finals in 1974.

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"I'm happy for the Socceroos, because I was born here and I love Australia as well, but I'm sad because Croatia is out."

While loyalties were divided throughout the city, there was one issue where there was agreement -- the performance of English referee Graham Poll.

Poll was derided for his efforts, which included failing to send off Josip Simunic for his second yellow card and overlooking two strong appeals for Australian penalties.

"Booking a player three times! What was that all about?" said a bemused Andrew Clark, 24, a city bank worker."

Prime Minister John Howard did not miss the chance to surf the wave of euphoria sweeping the nation, describing the achievement as being on a par with Australia's 1983 triumph in sailing's America's Cup.

"It is a great sporting moment," he told the Nine Network.

"What is great about this is that 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."

Australia will play Italy [Images] in the second round on Monday in Kaiserslautern.

"Amazing, amazing, amazing," said Australia supporter Andrew Lloyd-Owen.