MUNICH, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Brazil topped Group F with three wins as expected at the World Cup, but the surprise was produced by the Australian team.

    The group competition had been billed as a "battle for second place" before the tournament kicked off and the five-time and defending world champions Brazil lived up to the billing that it would progress without breaking sweat.

    However, while many would bet on Croatia or Japan qualifying for the last 16, it was the Socceroos who went through as the runners-up to Brazil. Their coach Guus Hiddink, who led co-host South Korea into the last four in the 2002 World Cup, once again showed his Midas touch.

    Thanks to a late second half goal from Harry Kewell on Thursday, Australia managed a 2-2 draw with Croatia in a game that was marred by three red cards.

    It was a narrow escape but enough for the Aussies to stay in the 2006 tournament, accumulating four points from a win, a loss and a draw.

    With that victory, Hiddink also revenged his loss to Croatia in the 1998 France Cup where he was coach of his home team Netherlands.

    Australia had neither scored nor won a point in their only previous involvement in the World Cup in 1974. Their first-ever victory came ten days ago against Japan, however, and their draw with the Croatians ensured their qualification though it was a close-run thing.

    Croatia were eliminated with two points although they could have been through with victory over Australia.

    Croatia started with a 0-1 loss to Brazil in a match they played well and were near to take a surprising point. Thereafter they fought to a scoreless tie with Japan, a disappointing result indeed, in a match were Croatia wasted a penalty kick, and all in all should have won.

    Japan, who reached the last 16 in 2002, finished at the bottom with a point after bowing to Brazil 4-1 in Dortmund.

    After two victories widely considered dull, Brazil finally impressed with four goals scored in the last round-robin match.

    "Phenomenon" Ronaldo made a double to tie German Gerd Muller for the all-time World Cup scoring record with 14 goals and was voted the Player of the Match.

    It was particular good news for Brazil and Ronaldo himself.

    For the first time, the star forward's form and weight were a source of much debate as a World Cup got under way. With no goals and a couple of ineffective performances the pressure was building going into this game.

    Certainly he looked a lot sharper on Thursday night as Brazil composed some enchanting rhythms to cancel out Japan's surprise early goal. Ronaldo headed the equaliser to move past Pele as Brazil's leading scorer in World Cups. Then following a lovely one-two, he made it 4-1 with deadly accuracy to draw level with Muller.

    Japan have never beaten Brazil in previous seven meetings, although they had a morale-boosting 2-2 draw at the Confederations Cup in Germany in the summer.

    The Socceroos will next face Italy who made sure of their place as group winners with the victory over the Czech Republic. Brazil are to meet World Cup newcomers Ghana. Enditem