The Iranian women's team faces the uncertain prospect of returning home after suffering a 2-0 defeat against the Philippines to end their embattled Women's Asian Cup campaign.

Knowing a win would keep both teams' Asian Cup dreams alive, it was the Philippines' Sara Eggesvik and Chandler McDaniel who netted the two game-defining goals to seal victory on the Gold Coast on Sunday night.

The win is the first this tournament for Mark Torcaso's women, but the Australian's team will need results to go their way if they are to qualify for the playoffs as one of the two best third-placed contenders.

For Iran, they finish fourth in Group A and are eliminated despite some heroic saves from goalkeeper Raha Yazdani on the night.

Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images

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Their third loss of the competition came after the players and coaches sang the national anthem, displaying a military salute before the match.

It was the second time they belted out the anthem in the tournament after they failed to perform it before their first game against South Korea last Monday.

Iran's state television labelled them as "traitors" for not singing, saying the team was "the pinnacle of dishonour" as it came less than 48 hours after the US-Israel assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

On Sunday, fans also held multiple flags of Imperial Iran, the official flag before the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Both teams had several chances early but the Philippines drew first blood through former Western United player Eggesvik when she hit the ball into the right side of the goal in the 29th minute.

Iran desperately searched for an equaliser, but in the 82nd minute substitute Chandler McDaniel fired the ball towards the bottom left corner, and it took a deflection to nestle into the net.

The Philippines thought they had a third when Alessandrea Carpio cut the ball to McDaniel who poked it past Yazdani, but Carpio was called offside.

The Iranians now turn their attention to the future, as it is not known how or when they will be able to return to their homeland, given the conflict and fears that the regime could arrest the players on their return.

Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster has urged FIFA and the AFC to uphold their obligations to protect the safety of players.

Twelve 12 Iranian community organisations and civil society groups have sent a letter to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke outlining they have "grave concerns" for the team.

It is unclear what help Australia can or will offer, as Foreign Minister Penny Wong dead-batted questions of whether the federal government had contact with the footballers earlier on Sunday.