Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil took a swipe at the Asian Cup scheduling after the 2007 champions crashed out to South Korea in the semi-finals on Monday.

Shenaishil complained his side had a day less to recover than South Korea after Friday's titanic quarter-final against Iran went to extra-time and penalties.

And it was a tame version of the Lions of Mesopotamia who meekly succumbed 2-0 in Sydney to bring their Asian Cup fairytale to a close.

"Regarding the recovery time, there's a disadvantage from the local organising committee," Shenaishil told reporters. "Some teams had three days, some teams had four days to recover. That was a disadvantage for us."

He said the tournament schedule favoured hosts Australia, who were expected to top Group A and have a total of seven rest days before the semi-finals, and another four running up to the final.

In the event, South Korea upset the hosts 1-0 to finish top and are now enjoying crucial extra recovery time in the tournament's final stages.

"If Australia had made it to the final (as group winners), they'd have about four, five days of recovery. So that should have been organised more," said the Iraqi boss.

Lee Jeong-Hyeop and Kim Young-Gwon scored in a straightforward 2-0 win for South Korea, who look to be hitting form after severe problems with injury and illness.

Their coach Uli Stielike said the extra day's rest had made all the difference as players, including star man Son Heung-Min, shake off a flu bug which swept through the squad.

"It's perfectly legal but the design of the tournament was for Australia, the host country, to get the best way to the final," said the German.

"But with our victory we took Australia's position and that gave us extra rest days. If we had played this game yesterday I'm not sure if we could have got all our players on the pitch."