Olympic football: Thousands in Cardiff for GB quarter-final

London 2012 organisers have urged fans to arrive early in Cardiff for Team GB's 70,000 sell-out game against South Korea at the Millennium Stadium.

A late run on tickets means 3,000 fans will collect paid-for tickets ahead of the game (19:30 BST).

And many will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the transport problems that were faced when GB played on Wednesday.

Long queues formed after "unprecedented number of passengers" used Cardiff Central station.

Passengers complained of "utter chaos" and being "herded like cattle".

Train companies apologised and said 19,500 people using the station was double the usual figure for a Millennium Stadium event.

It is important that fans get the message to arrive early at the ticket offices so they can get on with enjoying another great day's football”

Passengers have been promised extra seats for Saturday's match.

Meanwhile, supporters have been asked not to bring big bags, which will slow down entry to the ground.

Up to 3,000 fans are scheduled to pick up tickets on the day, and the ticket office at the Millennium Stadium's gate three in Westgate Street opened early to allow fans to collect them.

Peter Withers, of Locog, said: "We have plenty of time to process the amount of people we are expecting, but it is important that fans get the message to arrive early at the ticket offices so they can get on with enjoying another great day's football."

A number of road closures are in place in the city centre from 17:00 to 22:15 BST and Cardiff council has urged everyone going to matches to "follow the advice on their tickets, plan ahead, come early and enjoy all that the Welsh capital has to offer".

Environment Agency Wales warned that heavy showers were expected to affect most parts of Wales from Saturday morning, while some could cause disruption.

Those driving to the game are urged to take extra care because driving conditions could be hazardous.

"Those travelling to events this weekend such as the eisteddfod in the Vale of Glamorgan and the Olympic football at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff should allow extra time for travel and to take care on the roads," said a spokesperson.

The National Eisteddfod is taking place at Llandow in the Vale of Glamorgan and runs until 11 August.

The Millennium Stadium will host its last match - the men's bronze medal play-off - on 10 August.

GB could be in that game if they beat South Korea but lose in the semi-final.

Eleven matches in total are taking place at the Millennium Stadium throughout the Games.

Organisers said they had been happy with attendances, with the lowest about 24,000 for the Japan v South Africa women's match.