SYDNEY - Igor Sergeev headed in the only goal during a rain-sodden second half to give Uzbekistan a 1-0 win over North Korea on Saturday in the opening Group B match at the Asian Cup.Uzbekistan was the dominant side throughout, and despite the rainstorm that swirled around Stadium Australia, it created a host of chances.The first game is always tough and there was a little bit of pressure before the game Uzbekistan coach Mirdjalal Kasimov said.Uzbekistan nearly opened the scoring after 17 minutes after a tidy move started by Server Djeparov.The two-time Asian player of the year found Sergeev, who in turn fed Sanjar Tursunov. He crossed to the back post where Timur Kapadze rose highest but his header bounced off the post after a deflection from a North Korean defender.Pak Kwang Ryong had North Koreas best chance in the first half, but couldnt quite direct his header on target in the 32nd.We really wanted to win this match today but I thought the Uzbekistan team was very good and they had ability, North Korea coach Jo Tong Sop said. For our team I dont think we showed our ability to the fullest today. If wed done a little better then it could have been a different result.Jo only re-assumed control of the Chollima just ahead of the tournament, with the previous incumbent Yun Jong Su suspended for one year after excessive protests following North Koreas defeat to rivals South Korea in the 2014 Asian Games final.Also, the North Koreans opted to name one less player than the allowed 23 in their squad, leaving out star striker Jong Tae-se and including Ri Sang Chol, despite the fact that the Rimyongsu FC midfielder is suspended for three matches.There was a decent amount of support for the team — predominantly from locals who appeared to have adopted the nation for this clash — and both North Korean and Korean unification flags were visible in the stands.That didnt deter Uzbekistan, though, which picked up where it left off in the second half, with North Korea keeper Ri Myong Guk doing well to keep out Vitaly Denisovs skidding, long-range strike in the 52nd.He was powerless 10 minutes later, though, when Sergeev nodded home the winner from Djeparovs perfectly-delivered cross from the left in the 62nd.Im happy to score in this kind of match but it doesnt matter who scores, the main thing is that our team has won, Sergeev said.North Korea almost snatched a last-minute equalizer, but Ignatiy Nesterov produced a superb reflex save to stop Paks header crossing the line with the last action of the game.It was the last minute and I would like to thank our goalkeeper, it was a great save, Kasimov said.North Korea made it to the semifinals at its first trip to the Asian Cup in 1980, but hasnt progressed from the group stage in either of its last two appearances, in 1992 and 2011.___Lineups:Uzbekistan: Ignatiy Nesterov, Shavkatjon Mulladjanov, Anzur Ismailov, Azizbek Haydarov, Server Djeparov, Odil Akhmedov (Sardor Rashidov, 72), Igor Sergeev (Bakhodir Nasimov, 89), Sanjar Tursunov (Jamshid Iskanderov, 93), Timur Kapadze, Vitaliy Denisov, Akmal Shorakhmedov.North Korea: Ri Myong Guk, Jang Song Hyok, Jon Kwang Ik, Ryang Yong Gi, Pak Song Chol, Pak Kwang Ryong, Jong Il Gwan, Jang Kuk Chol, Cha Jong Hyok, So Hyon Uk (Om Chol Song, 65), Ri Yong Jik. 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Niese pitched seven steady innings on a rainy Tuesday night and Daniel Murphy had three hits to lead New York to a 6-1 victory over the Phillies. Ruben Tejada doubled and had two RBIs for the Mets, who chased Cole Hamels in the fifth and have won seven of nine. They improved to 15-11 overall, marking the first time New York has been four games over .500 since July 14, 2012. "Conditions are really tough and Jon just keeps cruising along," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "You have to be pretty impressed with the way hes going about it. He used all of his pitches. It seemed like he had good command of his curveball even though it was wet. ... He went out and pitched another great game." Marlon Byrd homered and Ryan Howard had two hits with a double for Philadelphia, which lost for only the third time in nine games. The start was delayed by rain for 1 hour, 28 minutes, and the temperature at first pitch was a chilly 46 degrees. Many in the announced crowd of 28,189 who braved the cold were dressed more appropriately for a Philadelphia Eagles football game in December, with hooded sweat shirts, winter coats and wool blankets. There was a misty rain for the first 2 1/2 innings before heavy rain began to fall in the bottom of the third. The rain tapered off to a drizzle before becoming heavy again in the seventh. The weather hardly affected Niese (2-2), who didnt allow a hit until Byrds two-out homer in the fourth. The left-hander gave up four hits while striking out five and walking one. "It was another cold one," Niese said, "but it seems like the more I pitch in cold weather, the more I figure out how to stay warm." Niese sat near a heater in the Mets dugout and kept his hands in his jacket pockets, which contained hand warmers. While on the mound, Niese said he made sure to move around constantly rather than stand still. "I was able to effectively throw my pitches," he said. Said Murphy, "He threw the ball great. It was a treat to watch from second base." Hamels (0-2) struggled in his first home start of the season, allowing six runs on eight hitss with five walks and a hit batter in 4 2-3 innings.dddddddddddd Seeking his 100th career victory, Hamels lost the strike zone in the fourth when he walked four batters, including Niese with the bases loaded, as the Mets took a 3-0 lead. Hamels was making his second start of the season after opening on the disabled list due to left biceps tendinitis. The leftys ERA rose to 6.75 as he dropped to 2-8 in his last 10 home starts against the Mets. Murphy had a two-out RBI single in the third, and Josh Satin singled home a run in the fourth. "Ive never seen Cole be that erratic, and Im sure a lot of that was the conditions," Collins said. "Its early in the year and he missed a lot of spring training. Hell be fine, Im sure." Hamels said the conditions made it difficult to pitch but blamed himself for not being able to adjust better. "The elements got the best of me today," he said. "From my standpoint, Im truly embarrassed because I didnt really give anyone a chance." Hamels said a lack of perspiration made gripping the ball difficult. "When youre able to perspire, youre able to get certain types of grips with the baseball," he said, before joking: "Today might have been the day to use pine tar, but unfortunately I dont do that. It might have been the day to learn. It was difficult to throw the baseball and difficult to throw strikes. You have to be able to battle out there, and I wasnt able to do it." Byrds homer pulled the Phillies to 3-1, but New York chased Hamels when it got an RBI double from Chris Young and a two-run single from Tejeda to make it 6-1 in the fifth. NOTES: Mets starters have given up more than three runs once in the last 13 games. ... Murphy extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ... Mets RHP Bartolo Colon (2-3, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Kyle Kendrick (0-2, 3.52) in the conclusion of the two-game series Wednesday night. ... During the rain delay, the Phillies showed Game 6 of the NHL playoff series between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers on the scoreboard and rang the bell in centre field traditionally rung for home runs when Wayne Simmonds scored a first-period goal to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead. ' ' '