The Socceroos without any shadow of doubt played their most incisive football in the competition so far and should take many positives from a pulsating match that they never deserved to lose.
The Korea coach even admitted that Australia should have got a draw.
Make no mistake, if there were any reservations about the validity of Ange Postecoglou's cultural revolution they should be dismissed after a stirring display against a superb side led by Swansea City midfielder Ki Sung-yueng, who made Korea's goal with an inspired pass to Lee Keun-ho, whose shot at goal was deflected into the net by Lee Jeong-hyeop.
Fans have every right to be disillusioned with the result but it should be remembered that the reason Australia lost is not because of the way it played or the tactics it employed but because it could not turn its territorial dominance into goals.
As they say in the world of cliches, if you keep creating chances the ball eventually will go in. Your problems start when you do not make opportunities.
Postecoglou was saying only this week that he would not even think about curtailing his offensive approach as soon as his team runs into a dangerous team.
His cavalier attitude despite the team's now trademark tentative start was there for all to see against the Koreans who certainly are no Kuwait or Oman.
Postecoglou's men nonetheless took their collective game to a higher level and deserve credit for playing their part in easily the best match of the tournament so far.
There is no disgrace in losing a game like that.
The Socceroos did everything but score in front of a crowd of almost 50,000 and if they play as cohesively and as positively against China as they did against the crafty Koreans they would be justified in looking forward to a spot in the semi-finals.
"Obviously we're very disappointed with the result but in terms of performance I cannot fault the players," Postecoglou said.
"They gave it absolutely everything right to the end and we certainly created enough chances to get the result we wanted but it wasn't to be.
"If we perform like that we'll be hard to beat."
His opposite number Uli Stielike was generous in his appraisal of the Socceroos' display.
"Congratulations to both teams for the best game of the tournament so far," the German said.
"The performance of both teams in the heat was extraordinary. We are the winners but maybe the final score should have been 1-1."
The only blemish in the Socceroos' overall performance was their finishing and it cost them dearly.
James Troisi missed a genuine opportunity in the first half when he could only hit the side netting after Massimo Luongo went on a mesmerising run on the right and served him with a perfect cutback.
In the second half the Australian pressure intensified and at times the Koreans were hanging on for dear life.
Tomi Juric missed a sitter after being set up by Ivan Franjic, Nathan Burns shot wide from an excellent position and substitute Robbie Kruse drove at goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon from two metres out after a swift move that tore Korea's defence apart.
It was not to be and the Socceroos now face China in the quarter-finals in Brisbane on Thursday.
The Australians were undone by the lack of a cutting edge.
They also could have done with a bit of luck.
