Television ratings, despite the timing of the match, were expected to provide another bonus for the SBS network, a multicultural station that is the smallest of Australia's free-to-air broadcasters.

SBS has carried the national team's broadcasts for years, many of those when soccer was a poor fourth behind the other established national football codes of Australian Rules, rugby league and rugby union.

When Australia beat the Uruguayans on penalty kicks in the final qualifying match last year, the 2-million plus who tuned in represented the station's biggest ever ratings share.

Appliance stores reported increased sales of large-screen televisions in the weeks leading up the World Cup, and bars and pubs received permission to stay open past regular licensed hours.

Many are planning combination late drinks/breakfast specials for the 5 a.m. Croatia match so revelers will be able to fuel up on both drink and food _ just in time to be ready for work.