If there is such a thing as beautiful failure, then Beijing Guoan did it in the most riveting way.

For a while it looked as if the capital powerhouse were going to extend their agonizing trophy drought with a thumping, disheartening and ignominious subjugation when the hosts went two goals down inside 35 minutes. By the end Shandong Luneng could only congratulate their green-shirted counterparts for a thrilling comeback and lament their relapse into unpredictability.

Guoan needed a win and to have Guangzhou Evergrande drop points, but it wasn't meant to be.

Despite the 3-2 triumph over Luneng on a pulsating and occasionally awe-inspiring final day of the Chinese Super League (CSL) campaign, there was no fairytale finish as Evergrande unsurprisingly finished the job at home, brushing aside Shanghai Shenhua 3-0 to prolong Guoan's wait to be champions.

Braving the strong wind gusts that relentlessly battered Beijing Workers' Stadium throughout the game, more than 51,000 home supporters stayed behind after the final whistle to serenade their heroes. One day they will take a misty-eyed look back at the numbers and wonder how on earth this happened. 23 wins. 60 goals. 70 points. And no trophy. 

To put Guoan's roller coaster of a season into perspective, a record runners-up points tally of 70 is the highest in the top-flight's history. As a matter of fact, only twice has a title-winning team bettered Guoan's tally - that was Evergrande in 2013 when they recorded 77 points, and now this season when they finished on 72.

Admittedly, it has been magnificent at times, and there is no arguing with the club record of 10 opening wins, or a stunning goal difference of +34, or a breathtaking display of attacking football that produced 60 goals. Ultimately, though, the only thing that mattered here is that they had finished second. The best runners-up in CSL history is still the runners-up.

For coach Bruno Genesio and his players, it must have been excruciatingly difficult to disguise all that raw despondency and rejection. Guoan merit praise for their fightback and the fact that they never relented, not even after Evergrande took an insurmountable three-goal lead in Guangzhou to kill their title hopes. 

It was only possible in the end to feel sorry for Luneng, who were a major part of this contest's entertainment factor and were worth at least a share of the spoils, but the home side inexorably wore them down in the latter stages of the game, when Guoan skipper Renato Augusto, as is so often the case this campaign, displayed an unparalleled ability to turn the tables and ensured they could signed off the season with their heads held high.

The same could be said for Genesio, who assumed the near-thankless task of steadying the ship after former Bayer Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt was ruthlessly sacked by Guoan in July. The Frenchman has overseen a transformation in Guoan's fortunes since taking over. Fans and pundits have all been encouraged by the confidence and feel-good factor he has restored and the return to more balanced football.

Genesio's noticeable contribution was not lost on the club employees and reporters on Sunday. The 53-year-old was greeted with cheers and applause when he stepped into the media room for his post-match press conference.

The ex-Lyon coach's contract runs out at the end of the year and he suggested he would like to extend his stay at the Chinese capital. "It is not for me alone to decide whether to sign a new deal or not, but no matter what the future holds for me, I love the city of Beijing and the working environment of the club," beamed Genesio.

The tactician later insisted that Guoan could have dethroned Evergrande this season had he been afforded more time. 

"I'm deeply convinced that we have what it takes to win the title if I have time to tinker with the lineup," he observed. "We are improving in defensive work with every game and with fighting spirit, tactical discipline and teamwork, the club will go on to even greater success."

For now, that was all Genesio could promise. He knew that Guoan harbor loftier ambitions and there will be no easy path into calmer waters. Next season the capital giants will, as they have done for the last 10 years, try again to lift the trophy that still eludes them.

The wait goes on.