Was at the match - must say was very impressed with how the team set up to play. My mates (Aussie fans) agreed that NZ were the better team, creating the better chances.
First 20 mins was all NZ, Aus struggled to get out of their half. Middle of the game was all Australia. Before NZ finished the last 30 far better.
First half we lined up a 4-4-2, but with the two wingers very high often becoming a 4-2-4. The front 4 were all strikers with Bevan and Billingsley in the middle, supported by Mata on the left and Rogerson on the right. These 4 seemed to get in each others way in the final third.
Second half after De Jong came one was a 4-2-3-1 (with Bevan at the point, Mata on the left and Rogerson on the right). I thought we looked much better overall with this shape.
Our best on park was Mcgarry for me- controlled everything and a class above the rest. I was shocked to see him subbed so early.
Our weakest was probably the RB - Australia seemed to notice and continually targeted this side. Was the first to be subbed
Logan Rogerson would be a very class player if he could pass - lost the ball a dissapointing amount of times.
GK looked very shaky first half, sending every GK out and spilling most of his catches - was better in the second.
Midfield 3 looked very good with De Jong as 6, Stensess as 8 and Lewis as 10.
Thanks for the report. You sure de Jong came on as 6? He plays left sided LB or winger and on the grainy footage it was not him in the sub 6 role.
Thought Lewis strike to score was superb! That 4/4/2 did look unusual for them and the changes seemed to show a better formation, more like previous Des's sided have played.