Saudis backed by Asian soccer boss

Saudis backed by Asian soccer boss

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Asian Football Confederation general secretary Peter Velappan yesterday defended Saudi Arabia's decision not to send its World Cup side to the Asian Games in October.

The Saudi federation is to send an under-23 side to the October event in Japan. But Velappan commented: "You have to understand how tired the World Cup squad is. They have basically been training for the World Cup since last October."

Velappan also said he preferred seeing under-23 rather than national sides compete for the Asian Games. This is more in keeping with the age requirements for the Olympics football competition.