The football-mad country had hoped that Ghalenoei, nicknamed "the General" by Tehran fans, would end a three-decade wait for international honours by lifting the trophy.

The press responded to the 4-2 loss on penalties by mercilessly mocking the coach in a way that would be all too familiar to any under-fire football manager.

The front page of the broadsheet Shargh carried a caricature of a war-weary looking Ghalenoei in the uniform of a general carrying a helmet pitted with bullet holes.

Underneath the cartoon, an editorial titled "the final day of general," wrote: "The issue is not Ghalenoei but in any case he was not the coach we were expecting."

"His personality in the training camps and his encounter with the reporters did not make him live up to the stature of a great coach."

The Etemad-e Melli daily published a wickedly sarcastic column titled: "Thank you Mr. Ghalenoei!"

"Mr. Ghalenoei we are not criticising you because of the loss, we are thankful to you!"

"How can we thank you for the trouble you went through? How should we say it, in order, God forbid, not to be insulting to you?

"Just having you is like winning thousands of championships! Can't you see all of the nation is crying from being grateful to you?"

Veteran South Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae saved twice in the shoot-out for Korea to win and progress to Wednesday's semifinal against Iraq after it was scoreless following extra-time.

Ghalenoei made a big call in the final minute of extra-time when he hauled off Hassan Rodbarian for reserve keeper Vahid Talebloo to take part in the penalties.

It was a bitter defeat for the three-time champions. Iran last won the Asian Cup in 1976 and will now have to wait for the next for the next competition for a realistic chance of international success.

Three times at the post-match press conference Ghalenoei insisted he would take all responsibility for Iran's loss, with his future as coach looking grim judging by the tenor of questions directed at him by Iranian journalists.

"This is not the place to talk about my future plans. When I return to Tehran I can think about my future and discuss this matter," Ghalenoei said.

"But I take all responsibility for this result."

The 43-year-old Ghalenoei, has been in the job since July last year after the sacking of the Croatian Branko Ivankovic.

"The conservative thoughts of our coaching team meant that our players did not perform up to their ability," wrote Jam-e Jam newspaper.

"Once again Iranian football fans have to wait and the period of waiting is now 35 years," it said, referring to the last time Iran won the Asian Cup.

The Iranian team is due to return to Tehran on Monday.