The Guoan Football Club, one of the top teams in China's professional football league, has dropped out of the title race for the first time this season. The team, which was previously leading the league table, lost to Shandong Luneng on Sunday and now sits second behind the leaders, Jiangsu Suning.

The drop-out is a major blow to Guoan's hopes of winning their fifth Chinese Super League title in six years. The club has been one of the most successful in the country, with four titles in the past five seasons, but they have struggled this year.

The loss to Shandong Luneng was particularly disappointing as it came at home, where Guoan had won all their previous matches. The defeat was also a setback for the team's star player, Zhang Jike, who scored the only goal in the match.

Despite the disappointment, Guoan coach Lu Xueqin remains optimistic about the team's chances of finishing in the top three and qualifying for next year's AFC Champions League. "We still have a chance to win the championship," he said. "But we need to work harder than before."

The drop-out from the title race will undoubtedly affect the team's morale and motivation going forward. However, the coach believes that the team can bounce back and fight for a place in the playoffs.

Overall, the drop-out from the title race is a significant setback for Guoan, but the team is not giving up hope just yet. With hard work and determination, they may be able to claw their way back into contention and make a strong finish to the season.