Serbia coach Radomir Antic blamed the referee for a "black day" in Serbian football after 2-1 loss to Australia on Wednesday sent his team out of the World Cup.

Serbia tore into Australia in the opening 45 minutes but Antic felt his team was on the wrong end of a marginal offside against Milos Krasic and a late handball decision.

Serbia would have advanced to the second round with a 2-2 draw. It had the ball in Australia's net twice with the offside flag up and in the dying minutes the ball struck Tim Cahill's hand in the penalty area.

"The referee had a black day against Serbia," Antic said.

"The first offside with Krasic wasn't offside and in the previous games, we had handball given against us. The referee, including the fourth referee, didn't want to see the foul which was quite obvious. We are angry with the referee's decision because he and his assistants could have seen what happened."

Antic said the team had expected to reach the second round, "and we deserved to do so. The decisions taken by the referees and us not taking opportunities makes us feel sad."

Serbia captain Nemanja Vidic was also disappointed with the refereeing, but pointed the finger at his own team's misfiring forwards.

Krasic and Milan Jovanovic were in sparkling form down the flanks as Serbia overwhelmed Australia in midfield. Krasic missed the best chance after 12 minutes when he rounded Mark Schwarzer but shot wide.

"We had a great first half but I was scared after those chances were missed," Vidic said. "This is football and small details can decide the winner.

"We expected to go to the second round and we are going home disappointed.

"We didn't underestimate Australia, we showed in the first half that we came strong and played some good football but they are a good team, especially in the air."

Vidic said the late handball call had upset the whole squad.

"My reaction after that decision showed what I think ... but I need to choose my words carefully."

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