Yokohama FC Hong Kong
South China began the new season at their home ground Hong Kong Stadium, playing against J. League Division 2 club Yokohama F.C.'s satellite team Yokohama FC Hong Kong on 2 September 2012. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake scored for Yokohama FC Hong Kong at the beginning of the game, but goals from Dhiego de Souza Martins, Itaparica, Ticão and Lee Hong Lim secured the win for the club, although Lee Ka Ho of Yokohama FC Hong Kong scored at the very last minute. Just a week later, South China visited Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei at Mong Kok Stadium. Defender Lee Chi Ho and Brazilian forward Leandro Rodrigues goals was not enough to see off the defending champions of Hong Kong Senior Challenge Shield, as Mamadou Barry and Cheung Kwok Ming equalised the game for Sunray Cave JC Sun Hei. The match ended as a 2–2 tie.