Guoan fell short in the Chinese Super League (CSL) title race as they dropped to fourth place after losing their last game of the season against Tianjin Quanjian.

The Guangzhou side had been leading the table for much of the campaign but suffered a setback when they lost 2-1 at home to Tianjin Quanjian on Sunday. This loss meant that Guoan were unable to catch up with leaders Shandong Luneng and second-placed Shanghai SIPG, who both won their games.

Despite the disappointment, Guoan manager Luiz Felipe Scolari praised his players for their efforts throughout the season. "I'm proud of my team's performance this year," he said. "We have made some good progress and we will continue to work hard towards our goals."

However, the defeat also highlights the challenges facing Guoan in the league. The club has struggled to maintain consistency over the course of the season, with their form fluctuating from match to match. This has led to them being knocked out of the AFC Champions League earlier than expected, further adding to their pressure ahead of next season.

Overall, it was a disappointing end to what had been a promising season for Guoan. However, the club still have plenty of time to turn things around and make a strong challenge for the title in the future.