Coach Huynh Duc and players got 1st defeat in this season against representative from Malaysia Kelantan FC.SHB. Da Nang’s 5-0 heavy failure against Kalantan caused them off the No.1 position, from this Coach Huynh Duc and players should have recognized their weak point of physical platform when they seemed to be down for 3 champions: national cup, V-league and AFC. In the third stage of 2013 AFC Cup first round, host Sai Gon Xuan Thanh unexpectedly won 3 points over guest Selangor (Malaysia) at Thong Nhat stadium then up to co-holding 2nd position of group H with East Bengal ( India) by 7 points and less goal difference. 

Only Nguyen Sa was absent from squad before the confrontation with Kelantan (Malaysia), however, the SHB. Da Nang players were overloaded caused their first failure in this season. Right in the first half, goalkeeper Thanh Binh failed 3 times. Hosting advantage as well as strength of Kelantan helped them score an open in the 4th minute from Dickson, just 2 minutes later Indra Putra doubled for the host. Coach Huynh Duc changed his tactics when Hai Lam, Minh Phuong and Danny respectively were set in. However, It’s still hard for them to take back game after two prompt goals while Huynh Duc and players suffered one more goal against from Mohd Faiz in the 23rd minute. Despite of many efforts in the second half, SHB. Da Nang received two more goals against from Petratos and Mohd Badhri because of weak physical platform. Getting 3 points over SHB. Da Nang, Kelantan officially occupied the top of Group G with seven points, while their opponent won six points after 3 stages.

Hosting the last standing, Selangor (Malaysia) who only got 1 point after 2 stages, Coach Tran Tien Dai and players determined to win. From the very start of match, Sai Gon Xuan Thanh attacked so much; however Sai Gon Xuan Thanh had waited to the open from Ndubuisi Oguwike’s shoot more than 20 m far.

Entering the second half, game was completely toward Saigon Xuan Thanh, however, they were witnessed a sudden situation in 66th minute when F.Doe started a quick attack in left wing and equalized 1-1 for the guest Selangor. 1 minute later, Ndubuisi Oguwike set 2-1 win for Saigon Xuan Thanh from an embarrassing situation in front of goal keeper Azlan. With 2-1final score Saigon Xuan Thanh is temporarily ranked at the second of Group H with seven points.

Dinh Vien