Despite recording a brilliant 2-0 away win over competition favourites Guangzhou Evergrande, the Wanderers' hopes of progression were undone when Korean side FC Seoul snatched an injury-time winner to defeat Japanese team Kashima Antlers 3-2, ensuring they nudged ahead of the Wanderers in the battle for the knockout stage.

It was a heart-breaking result for the Wanderers, who hoped their ACL title defence would be enough to restore pride after a dismal A-League season saw them finish second-last.

While Tuesday's outcome was seen by many as symptomatic of a season where nothing went right, Popovic said the club's troubles in the past six months would help define their character.

"In November, we were crowned Asian champions. We deserved that crown. We had a tough period in the A-League from November. We can talk about having a small squad going to Morocco [for the Club World Cup] and it's been difficult," he said. "But we as a club will be better for this experience. When you have adversity it can destroy you or make you stronger, and everyone wants to see a stronger Wanderers next year."

Popovic said the victory validated the Wanderers' Asian title last season, even if they wouldn't be around to defend their trophy.

"It's a strange feeling to be disappointed after beating Guangzhou 2-0 but that's what we feel at the moment. Unfortunately the other result didn't go our way. It's a little bit of a disappointed feeling and that's to be expected," he said. "To win against a such a great club and a great team, and do it so well, shows we are certainly worthy champions of this competition. It's a disappointment not to be going through."

While they went agonisingly close to progressing to the round of 16, Popovic acknowledged the Wanderers simply dropped too many points on home soil.

"We got seven points away from home, in a very tough group, but unfortunately we only picked up one point at home," he said. "If you want to look at the statistics of the group, that's a clear point of maybe why we don't progress, but in terms of our performance, we showed we belong in this competition. We'll work very hard to get back where we belong."

Striker Mark Bridge agreed their performances at Parramatta, where they proved so strong in the last campaign, had cost them dearly.

"It's very disappointing after a performance like that that we're not going through to the next round," he said. "Unfortunately, you need to pick up points in home matches. It's partly our fault but, we had a very tough year and I'm sure we'll be better for it next season."

Asked by Chinese media if he believed Evergrande had fielded an under-strength side - they rested several key players having already qualified for the next stage - Popovic said his injury-hit team were hardly at full-strength themselves.

"That's not a question for me, that's a question for the head coach of Guangzhou. We didn't have our best team either," he said. "We had suspensions and injuries, so we can talk about those things from both sides. All I know is my team. We believed we could win, we expected to win, we did our job and we won. Unfortunately the result [in Korea] didn't go our way. I think it was a 91st-minute winner for FC Seoul, but we take a lot from this performance and this result."

The Wanderers will now farewell several players, with Tomi Juric and Antony Golec confirming their departures and others, such as Matthew Spiranovic, Iacopo La Rocca and Kerem Bulut, potentially seeking new homes.