Middendorp changed from a back three to a back four at half-time, despite his side leading 1-0 but the German mentor defended his decision to do so.
"We organised ourselves quite well I think," Middendorp said told SuperSport.
"I know even if it is unusual to make a change at half-time when you are leading. But it was necessary. We were a little bit exposed with three at the back on the wide left and wide right. They didn't exploit that in the first half but I was one hundred percent aware they would in the second half. When we went to a back four, we looked much more solid and could counteract their long balls."
The 60-year-old felt his side could have killed off the game earlier with the chances they had, but hailed the manner in which his side executed the plan.
"I think in the first half and the second half we wasted some opportunities," said the Amakhosi mentor. "Some four against two, four against three moments. We could have probably made it a little bit easier earlier. I want to compliment everyone who has been involved in this journey so far, preparing the game, executing the game and now things are quite clear going in to the next game."
When asked about his decision to leave experienced campaigners like Willard Katsande and Ramahlwe Mphahlele out for such a high-pressure tie, Middendorp responded:
"It is a little bit of a process we are going through. As I said before, we need experience. But too much experience can make you predictable. But I think it's inspiring for the young players who realise they must work harder. I think it's a process and I'm one hundred percent convinced without Katsande, Rama and Bernard Parker, it doesn't work, but the other guys like Zuma, like Dax today (a huge game), I think they have the value, Ntiya-Ntiya and Bruce in the net."