The Shenhua football team, who currently sit second in the Chinese Super League (CSL) table, have suffered a setback as they failed to secure a victory against their rivals in their latest match.

In a game that was played at the Shenhua Stadium on Sunday evening, the hosts managed to hold off their opponents for most of the contest but ultimately fell short in securing a win. As a result, they now find themselves five points behind leaders Guangzhou Evergrande.

Despite the loss, Shenhua manager Zhang Jindong praised his players' efforts and acknowledged that there is still much work to be done if they are to challenge for the title. He said: "We had some good opportunities in the first half but we couldn't convert them into goals. We will need to improve our performance in the remaining games."

Meanwhile, Guangzhou Evergrande, who were also playing in their match on Sunday, secured a comfortable 2-1 win over their rivals Jiangsu Sainty. The victory lifted them up to the top of the league standings, leaving Shenhua with a mountain to climb if they are to regain their title hopes.

With just three matches remaining in the season, Shenhua must now focus all their attention on securing a win or two if they are to make any serious challenges towards the top spot. They will face fierce competition from their fellow title contenders, including Shanghai SIPG and Beijing Guoan, so every point is crucial if they want to keep their title aspirations alive.

Overall, it has been another disappointing week for Shenhua, who have struggled to maintain their form since the start of the season. However, despite their recent setbacks, the club remains optimistic about their chances of winning the title and will continue to work hard to turn things around.