think what you have said is spot on. But realistically we are only now starting to see the kids coming through that can play that style of play. Priviously possibly in the AJ and Milicich team you are talking a out the players weren't yet up to that level.
I have possibly been apart of a conversation with Alan Jones where he justified the way they played. Whilst I dont agree with the style of play they did play, they have been told they need to get results and if that's the best way with what you have then makes senses. Jobs on the line with these results. I dont think you can blame a coach of q team at that level if his instruction from NZF was to get results. He spoke about a games played in south Korea in a warm up tournament, they let the players play home they wanted playing out from the back... this was largely unsuccessful in first half and spent most of time in own. At half time it was put to players carry on playing same way or change up and go more direct, player changed and got a win against I think Nigeria... got the desired result at same time player prob realised where they actually at level wise...
This was at a time when Rojas, Wood, Barbarouses Hicks, and others were coming through the youth ranks all technically excellent players in their age groups. There absolutely were players capable of pass and move.
With respect to the South Korean warm up tournament, thats exactly when you have to go through the pain period with respect to becoming proficient at pass and move football. You dont give up at half time, it takes more than 45 minutes to progress anything.