A top Australian official said the Socceroos would have asked for a replay of their World Cup match against Croatia if they had missed out on a place in the second round because of a referee's mistake.
The teams drew 2-2 in Stuttgart on Thursday, allowing Australia to finish second behind Brazil in Group F. But English referee Graham Poll made a blunder by not sending off Croatia defender Josip Simunic when he booked him for a second time
Simunic completed the match only to be given a third yellow card after the final whistle for another offence.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) did not complain but chief executive John O'Neill said they would have protested if the team had failed to reach the last 16.
"In light of what emerged over the three yellow cards I think there would have been grounds for a very strong appeal," O'Neill told reporters on Friday.
"The supposition is the match should have been replayed because they should have been down one player. There was an error of judgment and my understanding is it's the type of mistake that could have brought about a replay.
"I'm sure if the situation was reversed you would have heard a lot about it."
Australia captain Mark Viduka said he asked Poll during the match whether Simunic had already collected a second yellow card but was incorrectly told it was his first.
"Everybody makes mistakes," said Viduka. "Graham Poll is a top quality referee.
"I will not say anything against him."
The FIFA referees's committee were meeting on Friday to review Poll's handling of the match.
Australia meet Italy in the second round in Kaiserslautern on Monday.
