GUANGZHOU, Nov 20 Several hundred spectators were forced to buy tickets for the Pakistan-India match in black.

“Do you have tickets? Please sell them to me. Take this Â¥100 or even Â¥150, if you wish, for a ticket of Â¥30,” said Dahraj Pal, an Indian student, who came to watch the match from an adjoining town of Guangzhou.

Hundreds of Asians, including students, were seen queued up outside the Aoti Field Hockey Stadium showing their eagerness to enter the stadium. Several of them came from far flung cities and even few of them got a train from Hong Kong -- two hours away from here.

Many Chinese men and women could be seen around the venue selling tickets though it was clearly mentioned on them that buying and selling tickets from private individuals was strictly prohibited.

A few lucky ones like Ahmed Nawaz, a computer engineering student, appeared at the venue early in the morning at 8 o'clock and got hold of two tickets though Pakistan's match had to start at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

“I came all the way from Hong Kong,” Ahmed, 23, who hails from Lahore, told Dawn.

“One of the tickets is for me and the other is for my friend who is on his way,” he added, who painted his face with Pakistan colour.

“I woke up as early as four in the morning because I knew that Indians will buy all the tickets so I have no other option but to reach the ticket-selling point early in the morning,” he added.

Asif Hameed, an engineer by profession, could easily be seen from the stands sloganeering Pakistan while the Chinese fans responding 'China' in a thundering voice.

“Pakistan-China” was the slogan during the 70-minute show. Though Pakistan lost the match 3-2 but the match was quite impressive and thrilling for many present at the stadium.