The Guoan football club has suffered a major setback in their quest for the Chinese Super League title after falling to fourth place in the league table on Sunday night.

The loss was a major blow to the team's chances of winning the championship, as they now find themselves behind leaders Beijing Guoan and third-placed Shanghai SIPG.

Despite their struggles, Guoan coach Gao Hongbo remains optimistic about his team's prospects in the final stages of the season.

"We have a lot of games left and we still have a chance to win the title," he said. "We will continue to work hard and try our best to improve."

However, the defeat was not without controversy, with some fans accusing the referee of making key decisions that favored Beijing Guoan.

"Clearly, there were some controversial decisions made by the referee," one fan wrote on social media. "It's disappointing to see such a poor display from the officials."

Despite the setback, Guoan fans remain hopeful that their team can bounce back and secure a place in the top four at the end of the season.

"We believe in our team and we know we have the talent to compete with the best teams in China," another fan wrote. "We will keep supporting them and hope for the best."