Olympic Under-23 format for
Asian Games football

The Olympic Council of Asia has decided to follow the format used at the Olympics and only allow under-23 sides into this year's Asian Games football tournament in Pusan, South Korea, Asian soccer officials said on Thursday.

The OCA, which has agreed to a request from the Asian Football Confederation, will allow each team to field three players over the age of 23.

This year's World Cup co-hosts Japan voluntarily entered an under-23 squad at the last Asian Games in Bangkok four years ago.

Iran won the gold medal with a near full-strength side, beating Kuwait 2-0 in the final.

This year's Asian Games take place from September 29 to October 14.