Massive crowds, unofficially estimated at around 30,000, have been thronging the venue where it is one big party with equipment, entertainment and food stalls dotting the grounds outside the stadium.

The fact that the past four days were holidays contributed to the huge turnout. The Hockey Village, at the back of the Stadium, is one of the most popular spots, especially in the evenings when a band belts out old numbers.

By the looks of it, hockey seems to be more popular here than in India.

A local, by the name of Bjorn, that one befriended at the music hall last night, said: ''You know, this is a family occasion. We take our kids to hockey matches. It is not just the World Cup, but a social occasion. C'mon, enjoy yourself. Forget hockey and forget India's defeats. It's all part of life.''

Marketing miracle

Either hockey is extremely popular or the marketing ofthe World Cup has been simply fantastic. As per the huge board outside the music hall, no fewer than 60 companies have supported the World Cup, beginning with the main sponsor, Rabobank International and Heineken. Even the 1994 World Cup in Sydney, Australia, which boasts of many a marketing Guru, did not attract as many sponsors.

English Down Under

Speaking of marketing hockey, the Australian Hockey Association (AHA) has already brought out an attractively packaged, colour brochure for the 21st men's and 7th women's Champions Trophy tournaments to be held in Brisbane, from June 4 to 14, 1999.

The brochure contains every conceivable information including travel, accommodation, proposed programme, media facilities, and a tourist guide about ``everything under the sun'' regarding Queensland State of which Brisbane is the capital.

To top it, the information kit also contains an item headlined: Aussie speak. It says: ``Those of you who thought they spoke English in Australia are in for asurprise.

Down Under, they have their own language.'' It goes on to list the Australian slang/colloquial expression and their ``English translation''!! Some samples: Hard yakka: hard work; Goodonya: Good work or thank you.