The head of the local Asian Cup organising committee has admitted he has "eaten humble pie" over Canberra's crowd numbers, after warning fans to "put up or shut up" before the tournament.

Canberra hosted seven Asian Cup games, which attracted a total of more than 82,000 people, despite not featuring any Socceroos matches.

It culminated in nearly 19,000 people watching Iraq beat Iran in a thrilling quarter-final last night.

Before the tournament, head of the organising committee Michael Brown said Canberrans had to "put up or shut up" and attend the matches in large numbers, if the city was to host other high-profile sporting fixtures.

He said the city has played host to a remarkable series of matches.

"I'm incredibly proud to see Canberra shine," he told ABC Grandstand.

"I did put out the challenge, and I eat humble pie today, as 82,000 people came to the seven matches at an average of nearly 12,000 a game."

Mr Brown said the highlights of the tournament in Canberra were the sold-out game between China and North Korea, and the colour and emotion of the Iran v Iraq quarter-final.

"I was a doubter, but gee, you should be so proud," he said.

The ACT Government spent more than $4 million bringing the games to Canberra, but Chief Minister Andrew Barr said that decision had been justified.

"There was a degree of scepticism at the time," he told ABC Grandstand.

"For our city, and for football, I think we can all be very proud of what has been achieved."