Pass and Move's match analysis was disrupted at half time due to an urgent need to sleep. However, here are some points PM gleamed from the first half, most of which were noted in our twitter coverage of the match. Full Match Report to Follow.
1) Personnel - Holger made some notable changes in his line up.
Jedinak was preferred to Kilkenny, probably to add a more robust presence to midfield. Jedinak's more committed tackling was a feature; he was lucky not to get booked.
Ognenovski was preferred to Spiranovic. Ogenenovski is more of a rugged/physical presence, but perhaps a shade slower and less sure on the ball/and on the flank than Spiranovic. He stayed central instead of covering the flank.
Holman was shifted from his unbalancing left-flank role to a roaming position nominally behind the striker. Cahill was pushed to the bench. The benefits are obvious; Holman offers much more mobility than the Everton man.
In mid-field, Holger used a relatively defensive pivot of Valeri and Jedinak, with Valeri looking to come deep and receive the ball from the CBs and Jedinak looking to impose himself physically higher up the pitch, to disrupt play.
McKay was shifted from LB, where he was defensively exposed, to LM, where he was freer to drift centrally and initiate passing exchanges. In his place, Zullo was started at LB, to provide the width McKay does not, and a surprisingly effective defensive presence.
PM is reaonable pleased that we were able to predict most of the personnel changes, but is somewhat disappointed Williams or Kruse were not started. However, we recognise Holger intended to ensure a good performance and a win, and did not wish to take a risk on blooding players.
Brisbane Roar will undoubtedly be given very short odds to continue their rampant unbeaten streak and repeat their Double triumph. But with the rest of the A-League equipping themselves to combat Brisbane’s dominance and possession football, how will Ange Postecoglou keep the Men in Oranje one step ahead of the chasing pack?
This XI is harder to predict, as Holger has called up a 23-man squad, as opposed to the usual 18, in order to cope with the heavier schedule. Holger proclaimed that he would select his strongest side against Thailand, perhaps indicating the side facing Saudi Arabia would feature those players who weren't used in last night's match. 
Kilkenny received the ball from McKay, who simultaneously with Valeri, looked to run into the box. With Wilkshire advanced on the right, the only Aussies behind Kilkenny were Spiranovic and Neill. Kilkenny under-hit a pass, which was easily seized by a Thai CB. McKay, instead of tracking the full-back, drifted centrally near Valeri. Spiranovic was dragged out of position, looking to meet the attack. The Thai full-back overlapped on our left flank, picked out Dangda in the box and unleashed a curling cross, which was put away crisply. By this time, Valeri, Kilkenny and Wilkshire were back in our defensive half BUT were behind the ball, leaving Neill as the only defender in position. 
Holger discarded his 4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid for a static and conventional 4-4-2, with notable player selection errors. Cahill and Kennedy waited high up the pitch for service instead of dropping deep or drifting wide. Wilkshire and Emerton looked to inter-change and cross the ball deep from the right flank. Kilkenny and Valeri acted as a double pivot in central mid-field, switching sides and taking it in turns to offer an option to the CBs and surge into the box. Neill and Spiranovic were paired at the back, with Spiranovic more mobile. The biggest mistakes in terms of selection were on the left flank. Holman, being a right-sided central attacker, drifted inwards, and more or less ignored the left side. McKay, a creative passer, was played out of position at left-back, where his tendency to drift inward and play beyond the half-way line to attempt to create exposed the Australian defence. 