The Philippine National Men’s Football Team have a lot to think about as they suit up in training for their World Cup qualifying match with Sri Lanka on June 29 and July 3.

Especially now that they’ve been humbled by the United Football League (UFL) All Stars in a friendly with a score of 4-3.

It was a hot afternoon at University of Makati, where football fans flocked to see their favorite players in action, and where Kaholeros got to practice their cheers with empty 5-gallon water bottles.

Kids were the first to see action on the pitch that afternoon.

Then the Azkals and the UFL All Stars came in.

It was also Yanti Bersales’ last game as an Azkal. At 38, he was a witness to how much the National Team has grown since he became part of it in 1992.

Then it was game time.

Azkals’ Chieffy Caligdong opened the scoring in the 11th minute of the game.

But the UFL All Stars’ Eric Dagroh equalized before the 1st half’s end.

Seven minutes into the 2nd half, UFL All Stars led the game after Mark Hartmann’s free kick found its way to the goal’s top right hand corner — too far for Azkals’ keeper Neil Etheridge’s reach.

Ten minutes later, Simon Greatwich scored an equalizer with an assist from James Younghusband

Catching everyone’s attention on the field were former Azkals Jerry Barbaso, who marked newbie Nate Burkey, and Anto Gonzales, also the coach of UAAP Season 73 football champion UP.

Dagroh scored another goal which put the All Stars ahead before Ian Araneta brought the match even in the 84th minute.

But UFL’s Izzo El-habbib trashed the national’s hopes after going past Etheridge in the game’s dying minutes.

It was a bitter end for the Azkals, who according to Philippine Daily Inquirer’s interview with Coach Michael Weiss, “lost a match that we shouldn’t have lost.”

But it was celebration for the UFL All Stars, who ended that night with pride after beating the nationals.