Uzbekistan 1 North Korea 0: Solitary Sergeevstrike seals it

Igor Sergeev's sole goal was enough for Uzbekistan
as they began their Asian Cup campaign with a
scrappy 1-0 win over North Korea in Sydney.
Uzbekistan comfortably had the better of the game at
a rain-sodden ANZ Stadium, but struggled to
penetrate a resolute Korean defence for large parts.
Timur Kapadze was a menacing figure breaking from
midfield for the Uzbeks and hit the post with a first-
half header as well as going close after the interval.
Much of Korea's sights of goal came on the counter-
attack but they were routinely let down by the final
ball in ever-worsening conditions.
And the Uzbeks finally grabbed the goal they
deserved after the hour as Sergeev's powerful header
beat Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-guk.
The 21-year-old's fourth goal in his last five
competitive outings for Uzbekistan was ultimately
enough, though a better touch in front of goal will
likely be required in their following Group B games
against China and Saudi Arabia.
Uzbekistan dominated possession throughout and
Odil Ahmedov made his early intentions known with
a fizzing 25-yard drive that flew wide.
Mirjalol Qosimov's men found joy time and again
from their right flank, and one such charge resulted
in an accurate ball onto Kapadze's head, but the 112-
cap veteran's effort deflected off his covering
defender and onto the post.
The heavens opened after the half-hour with Korea
well regimented against a series of inventive Uzbek
set-pieces which came to nothing.
Uzbekistan picked up where they left off into the
second half as the rain intensified to make the pitch
tougher to play, Kapadze's flick from a driven free-
kick just looping over the crossbar.
The pressure began to build and Ri had to be alert
soon after to tip Sanzhar Tursunov's teasing delivery
from the right away with Ahmedov and Uzbek captain
Server Djeparov just unable to convert.
And the pressure told in the 61st minute as Djeparov
lofted an inviting ball into the path of an onrushing
Sergeev, who met the ball firmly to send it back
across goal, beyond Ri and into the corner.
North Korea were cautious in their attempts to get
back into the contest with regular long balls up to
lone frontman Pak Song-choi often failing to stick.

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