Poll results: The 30 votes between two Socceroos midfielders to start against France

We're just hours away from the Socceroos' opening  FIFA World Cup™ clash against France, live at 8pm on Saturday on SBS and Optus Sport.

Before the highly-anticipated Group C opener, we asked you - the fans - to vote for who you think should be in Bert van Marwijk's starting side for the match against the 1998 FIFA World Cup™ champions.

DAY 27 WRAP: Final touches ahead of France clash

PREVIEW: Socceroos v France: The key questions

READ: 'Key to France game is strong organisation': van Marwijk

The count is in and the most interesting selection talking point came in midfield, with just 30 votes between Mile Jedinak and Massimo Luongo as to who partners Aaron Mooy in the engine room.

There was a surprise in central defence while a certain teenager has been backed to make an incredible debut against Les Bleus.

Here's who you've picked for the Socceroos' starting XI for their first FIFA World Cup™ against  France in Kazan.

Socceroos in training

GOALKEEPER

Maty Ryan started both the pre-tournament friendlies against Czech Republic and Hungary and didn't put a foot wrong.

He was a clear choice by the fans to start against France ahead of both Brad Jones and Danny Vukovic.

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Goalkeeper to take on France
Mathew Ryan
Goalkeeper
Mathew Ryan
Bradley Jones
Goalkeeper
Bradley Jones
Daniel Vukovic
Goalkeeper
Daniel Vukovic

Thank you for selecting your Goalkeeper!

RIGHT BACK

As the only specialist right-back in the 23-man squad,  Josh Risdon is received the majority of the vote to start on the right-side of defence ahead of Milos Degenek, who supplied the fourth assist in Australia's 4-0 win over Czech Republic earlier this month.

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Right Back to take on France
Joshua Risdon
Defender
Joshua Risdon
Milos Degenek
Defender
Milos Degenek

Thank you for selecting your Right Back!

CENTRE BACK PAIRING

While Trent Sainsbury and Mark Milligan have started in the heart of defence in Australia's previous two outings, only one of them has been backed to start on Saturday night.

Sainsbury, who has skippered the side in both friendlies against Czech Republic and Hungary, is the clear choice to fulfill one central defensive role, with the fans opting for him to be partnered by Matthew Jurman.

Sainsbury and Jurman have played together successfully before, helping the Socceroos get past both Syria and Honduras in the playoffs to qualify for Russia.

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Centre Back to take on France
Milos Degenek
Defender
Milos Degenek
Matthew Jurman
Defender
Matthew Jurman
Mark Milligan
Midfielder
Mark Milligan
Trent Sainsbury
Defender
Trent Sainsbury

Thank you for selecting your Centre Back!

 

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Centre Back to take on France
Milos Degenek
Defender
Milos Degenek
Matthew Jurman
Defender
Matthew Jurman
Mark Milligan
Midfielder
Mark Milligan
Trent Sainsbury
Defender
Trent Sainsbury

Thank you for selecting your Centre Back!

LEFT BACK

Like Risdon on the right, Behich appears a certain starter in the fullback role on the other side of the pitch having started all four games since Bert van Marwijk took charge, with the fans agreeing the Bursaspor man should get the nod ahead of James Meredith.

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Left Back to take on France
Aziz Behich
Defender
Aziz Behich
James Meredith
Defender
James Meredith

Thank you for selecting your Left Back!

CENTRE MIDFIELD PAIRING

In two polls to determine the deeper midfield positions, Aaron Mooy was the clear favourite amongst the fans to play in one of the holding roles.

But it was incredibly tight for the other spot, with the vastly experienced Mile Jedinak edging out Massimo Luongo by just 30 votes.

While Luongo has started both the pre-tournament friendlies, fans have just gone for Jedinak to start against Les Bleus.

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Centre Midfielder to take on France
Jackson Irvine
Midfielder
Jackson Irvine
Mile Jedinak
Midfielder
Mile Jedinak
Aaron Mooy
Midfielder
Aaron Mooy
Massimo Luongo
Midfielder
Massimo Luongo

Thank you for selecting your Centre Midfielder!

 

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Centre Midfielder to take on France
Jackson Irvine
Midfielder
Jackson Irvine
Mile Jedinak
Midfielder
Mile Jedinak
Aaron Mooy
Midfielder
Aaron Mooy
Massimo Luongo
Midfielder
Massimo Luongo

Thank you for selecting your Centre Midfielder!

Massimo Luongo being watched by Bert van Marwijk in training.
Massimo Luongo being watched by Bert van Marwijk in training.

ATTACKING MIDFIELD

Tom Rogic has assumed the No.10 role in both of the pre-tournament friendlies and has the backing of the fans to be unleashed from the start against Les Bleus.

While Rogic garnered the majority of the votes, Jackson Irvine's impressive second-half showing against Hungary was enough to convince some he could push the Celtic star for a start.

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Attacking Midfielder to take on France
Jackson Irvine
Midfielder
Jackson Irvine
Tomas Rogic
Midfielder
Tomas Rogic

Thank you for selecting your Attacking Midfielder!

RIGHT WING

No surprise that Mathew Leckie led the way to start on the right flank given his superb performances for the national team over the last 18 months. His double against the Czech Republic a fortnight ago also means he's full of confidence.

Leckie was a clear front-runner for this role, beating out the likes of teenager Daniel Arzani, who can also play from the left, striking candidate Andrew Nabbout and versatile Newcastle Jets star Dimitri Petratos.

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Right Winger to take on France
Mathew Leckie
Forward
Mathew Leckie

Thank you for selecting your Right Winger!

LEFT WING

Robbie Kruse may have started on the left against both Czech Republic and Hungary but Daniel Arzani's match-turning cameo in Budapest last weekend has seen the Melbourne City favoured to go from the start on that flank.

Again, Dimitri Petratos and Andrew Nabbout are options for van Marwijk but appear unlikely to play in that role from that start against the French.

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Left Winger to take on France
Robbie Kruse
Midfielder
Robbie Kruse

Thank you for selecting your Left Winger!

STRIKER

With three starts as the No.9 under van Marwijk, the fans have little doubt  Andrew Nabbout will be the man to lead the line against Les Bleus.

Nabbout, who scored his first international goal in the rout of the Czech Republic, was the standout option in attack ahead of Tomi Juric, Tim Cahill and Jamie Maclaren. 

Choose your Starting XI vs France

Closed
Choose your starting Striker to take on France
Tim Cahill
Forward
Tim Cahill
Tomi Juric
Forward
Tomi Juric
Jamie Maclaren
Forward
Jamie Maclaren

Thank you for selecting your Striker!