RUSTENBURG, South Africa - Australia coach Pim Verbeek hailed his side's performance against Ghana as one of the great examples of the country's combative spirit.

Fans hug at the end of a 2010 World Cup Group D soccer match between Australia and Ghana at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 19, 2010. [Agencies]

An Australia squad, that had been savaged by fans and media alike after losing 4-0 to Germany, kept its World Cup hopes alive with a 1-1 draw with the Black Stars, despite having Harry Kewell red-carded for a goalline handball after 25 minutes.

"I think it was a fantastic performance from my players," the Dutchman said.

"We played 70 minutes with 10 players. We knew we had to win to keep everything in our hands and we did everything to win the game. Even with 10 men we had some great chances.

"I think we were very unlucky with the red card, which I think was a mistake by the referee but the players did a great job and now they have to do another one in four days time against Serbia."

Verbeek said: "We all know the Australian spirit. We are famous for that but still you have to show it.

"The players told me the whole week we will show everybody and they did."

Verbeek did not dispute Ghana should have been awarded a penalty when teenage centerback Jonathan Mensah's fiercely-struck shot struck Kewell on both chest and forearm as he attempted to block the ball.

But he said Italian referee Robert Rosetti did not have to send the Australian forward off.

"What can you do with your arm? You cannot cut it off. It is a handball, it is a penalty. But as far as I know it has to be intentional to send the player off."

Verbeek admitted he felt for Kewell, who has played just a few minutes of football this year before taking the pitch here as a result of Tim Cahill being suspended.

"If you are working for six months to get to the World Cup - and not a lot of players would have done what Harry did to be ready - then you play and have to go out after 25 minutes - he will be devastated.

"But if we go to the next round Harry can play again, so let's stay positive."

Australia now have to beat Serbia in their final Group D match, in Nelspruit on Wednesday, to have a chance of reaching the last 16. Realistically, given their goal difference, they will probably also need Ghana to beat the Germans.

agence france-presse