Frank Farina: Under fire (StuForster/Allsport)

Farina, who had only one overseas-based player in his team and was given just 12 days to prepare for the tournament because of SA's financial difficulties, lashed out at the organisation on Monday.

'I am disappointed in Frank,' Knop was quoted as saying in The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper on Wednesday. 'Someone has to take responsibility for the failure of the team. I am not a coach, he is a coach.

'He knew all along what was going on and that this organisation was involved in a difficult situation and was trying to put to bed its deal with (marketing partner) International Entertainment Corporation.

'He had one job to do and that was to motivate the domestic players who took part, and he failed.'

Farina was reappointed as coach in December after Australia lost to Uruguay in the playoff for the final spot in the 2002 World Cup.

The Oceania Nations Cup final defeat by New Zealand cost Australia a place in next year's lucrative FIFA Confederations Cup.

'I am not talking about a knee-jerk reaction and sacking Frank,' Knop said.

'His position is safe but he needs to realise that he's made a few blunders and he needs to improve in a few areas.'

Knop was critical of Australia's elite players who did not make themselves available for the tournament, and said Farina had known for some time about SA's financial problems.

'He (Farina) knew all the circumstances (that there wasn't the money to have proper preparations) three months before it all started,' Knop said.