Poll will wish he could forget all about the entire night. He had been entitled to dismiss Croatia's Dario Simic and Australia's Brett Emerton after the 85th and 87th minute respectively, but too many other rulings were bizarre.

Australia's first equaliser came from the penalty spot after Stjepan Tomas inexplicably handled a spot kick, but the defender went unpunished for exactly the same deed in the 74th minute when Guus Hiddink's team were trying to level for the second time.

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Australia more than deserved the point they required. The Dutch coach has made history with this side just as he did with Korea four years ago.

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The captain Mark Viduka brought down Niko Kovac some 28 yards from the target. Dario Srna's free-kick soared home high past the right hand of Zeljko Kalac. Australia, all the same, were hardly aware of any obstacles, apart from the ones they placed in their own path for a while.

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Some chances were squandered and Stipe Pletikosa was impressive in goal for Croatia, but Poll, with a hint of gaffes to come, had also elected not to award a penalty when Simunic wrapped his arm round Viduka's waist after seven minutes. A foul would surely have been given anywhere else on the field.