Argentinian striker Sebastian Gaston Merlo had opened the scoring for Group G runners-up Da Nang after 31 minutes only for Liberian striker Edward Junior Wilson to pull Semen level in first-half stoppage time with his ninth goal of the campaign.

And with extra-time looming, Moro was on hand to turn home Hengki Ardiles’ cross to seal the win as Group E winners Semen extended their unbeaten record in the competition with a sixth win of the campaign.

“Da Nang are a very good team and it was a tough game,” said Semen coach Jafri Sastrak.

“They were able to score a goal, but thankfully our players showed a great fighting spirit and were able to win.”

Following an even start to the contest, Semen began to assert their control as the half progressed with Liberian striker Wilson and Titus Bonai causing problems for the Da Nang defence.

But 14 minutes before half-time, Merlo took full advantage of a slip by a Semen defender on the edge of the penalty area to calmly pick his spot in the bottom corner after sending goalkeeper Fakhrurrazi the wrong way to open the scoring for the visitors.

But in first-half stoppage time, Semen were back on level terms as Wilson coolly sent Da Nang goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Binh the wrong way from the penalty spot after substitute David Pagbe had been upended by Nguyen Tan Dien.

Wilson was presented with a glorious chance to complete the turnaround five minutes before the hour mark, but the Liberian’s downward header bounced over the crossbar from the edge of the six yard area.

And Wilson again wasted another chance 10 minutes later as the striker again failed to find the target with another close-range header.

Semen finally had the ball in the back of the net with nine minutes remaining, but Moro was adjudged to have strayed narrowly offside as the midfielder helped Wilson’s angled shot from inside the area past Thanh Binh from the edge of the six yard box.

But Moro made amends in stoppage time as the midfielder raced in unmarked at the back post to turn home Ardiles’ cross from close range.

“It was a difficult match because we were missing several key players. And also I was surprised by the poor performance of the players who were on the field because they are capable of playing very well,” said Da Nang coach Le Huynh Duc.

“We had a lot of chances but we were unable to score more. The second half was also difficult as the players’ stamina dropped due to the hot weather conditions.”

Photo: WSG