Socceroos defender Harry Souttar says the targeted criticism and abuse of players during Australia's failed Asian Cup tilt went too far.

Graham Arnold's side saw a golden opportunity pass them by when they let a 1-0 lead slip in their quarterfinal against South Korea, succumbing to a 2-1 loss in extra time.

Australia was also heavily criticised earlier in the tournament for a series of scratchy group-stage performances.

Souttar stressed players and coaches could handle criticism of tactics, poor play or mistakes but took umbrage with personal targeting and abuse.

"Maybe I'll regret saying this a little bit later on, but as a whole we can just get behind the team better," Souttar said.

"We were heavily criticised in the group stages and rightly so because sometimes you can play better.

"But there's a lot of negativity around it that's uncalled for. Reading something from people still back home, it just doesn't sit right."

Defender Gethin Jones was heavily criticised during the group stage, while Mitch Duke's missed chances and Lewis Miller's costly mistakes against South Korea also attracted vitriol on social media.

It was reminiscent of the abuse Matildas star Ellie Carpenter received during last year's Women's World Cup, and that directed at then-Socceroo Robbie Kruse during the men's tournament in 2018.