The comeback kids from Australia beat Mali, 1-0, to win the Fifa world under-17 soccer tournament's notorious "group of death" in Christchurch.
Defending champion Brazil also made the quarter-final cut yesterday, but will have to travel to Dunedin to meet South American rival Paraguay.
Brazil eked out a second consecutive scoreless draw against a gallant Germany, to finish second in Group C -- one point behind Australia.
The Joeys rallied from a first-game defeat to Brazil to beat Germany, 2-1, and Mali to clinch first place in the group. They will stay at QEII Stadium to play Qatar on Sunday.
No wonder veteran coach Les Scheinflug was beaming after guiding Australia to a fifth quarter-final berth at an under-17 tournament.
He said last night's win had been vital because "we didn't want to move" to Dunedin.
"All the European teams (Germany, Poland and Spain) are gone, but the poor sheepherders from Australia are still here," he said.
"I'm proud of the kids. They played with a lot of determination and never looked like giving in.
"I said from the start that this was a tough group, but they (the Joeys) wanted it more than the other teams. They showed guts in all all three games and came through with flying colours."
In any group of death there must be casualties, but Germany and Mali bowed out of the tournament with heads held high.
A goal by Joeys' striker Scott McDonald in the 23rd minute was the only one conceded by Mali.
The Africans did everything but score, exciting about 6000 fans with their athleticism, technical skill, and intricate short passing.
Scheinflug felt Australia won the game tactically and heaped praise on his defence, where skipper Mark Byrnes and sturdy sweeper Adrian Madaschi were again outstanding.
McDonald, who ran himself into a standstill alongside Dylan MacAllister up front, gave Australia the lead after 20 minutes following some rare indecision in the Mali defence.
MacAllister drew a brilliant save from Mali goalkeeper Cheick Oumar Bathily after McDonald's pinpoint cross in the second half.
But Mali had its moments, creating a wealth of half-chances, with Mamadou Diawara going close three times in the second spell.
But Mali's malaise in front of goal was best exemplified when substitute Abdoul Traore missed a sitter at the back post in injury time after a right-wing cross.
Germany peppered Brazil's goal in the dying stages of the opening match in a brave, but vain attempt to grab a winning goal, which would have given the Europeans a quarter-final berth. The distraught Germans were in tears after the final whistle, but later received a standing ovation as they came out to thank the 6500-strong crowd.
Both goalkeepers, Rubinho (Brazil) and Dennis Eilhoff (Germany), were in outstanding form.
Brazil produced a disjointed effort and Germany, inspired by midfielders Michael Fink, and Thomas Hitzlsperger, and striker Leonhard Haas, matched the Brazilians for skill.
Haas had a grand chance for the Germans in the second half, after being put clear by Hitzlsperger, but Rubinho pulled off a brilliant save.