Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink says his team will play to win against Croatia in their decisive World Cup Group F match despite needing only a draw to qualify for the second stage of the tournament.

Croatia must beat the Socceroos in Stuttgart to advance, while Australia is almost certain to go into the round of 16 with a draw - unless Japan produces a big and unlikely win over Brazil in their match, which is being played simultaneously in Dortmund.

But Hiddink dismissed thoughts his side would play it safe, convinced the Australians are capable of winning and saying such a stance would go against all the Socceroos stand for.

"It's impossible to say, especially to this team who like to go forward when possible and attack, 'hey guys let's sit back and go for a 0-0 draw'," Hiddink said.

"It's opposing the character of this team.

"This team is going to try to win. It's impossible to be a director of a draw."

A place in the world's top 16 ranked nations at least beckons for Australia if it can advance to a second stage showdown with the winner of Group E.

Italy, Czech Republic or World Cup newcomer Ghana are the possible opponents.

The Socceroos go into the Croatia match confident after four quality performances against four quality sides in the past month.

Against Greece, Holland, Japan and Brazil, the Socceroos have at least matched and often bettered their opponents for long periods.

Croatia, however, is caught in a goalscoring drought.

It has not scored in this tournament, and has only an own goal to show for its efforts in front of goal in its past six hours of football.

Seven of the Socceroos are of Croatian heritage, including skipper Mark Viduka, while Croatia has three Australian-born players in its squad.

Only one of those - Australian Institute of Sport graduate Joe Simunic - is likely to be in Croatia's starting 11.

The Socceroos also have six players riding a suspension tightrope should they advance to the round of 16.

Tim Cahill, Vince Grella, Craig Moore, John Aloisi, Jason Culina and Brett Emerton go into the Croatia match on yellow cards, with another caution to rub them out of the round of 16 clash should the team win.

However, should they escape the ire of officials against Croatia, their yellow card slate will be wiped clean immediately for the second stage of the tournament.

English referee Graham Poll - a player familiar to many of the Socceroos because of his handling of Premier League matches - has been appointed to take charge of the Australia-Croatia match.

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