Our Football team gives us inspiration: Lara

St Lucia, June 11 (UNI) West Indies team were battered by Sehwag's blistering knock, but the Caribbean team took time out to watch Trinidad and Tobago play Sweden at Lunch of the first day's play.

''At lunch we watched the first 25 minutes of the world cup game.

We didn't leave the dressing room until we were asked to go. It was great to at least see the boys get out and play at the middle, it gives us inspiration too,'' said West Indies captain Brian Lara.

Brian Lara is a good friend of Trinidad and Tobago captain Dwight Yorke, and Lara took no time to congratulate his friend on a commendable draw.

''First I thought the result was one nil, but even then a draw is a great result. I just spoke with Dwight and he is very proud of his guy. Its good thing for West Indies sports and I am proud of the boys and I am looking forward to the big game against England,'' said Lara.

Lara also said that he enjoyed watching goalkeeper Shaka Hislop who had a good match ''I grow up with Shaka as a youngster, I think he is couple of days younger than I am. He has played at the highest level with West Ham also and is a very reliable player,'' said Lara.

On asked whether he would have loved to be in Germany right now, Lara said cricket was his first preference. ''I am very happy playing cricket where I am but may be if the pitch goes to Germany we would have seen little soccer too,'' he added jokingly.

Lara also added that the low turn-out at cricket today was expected as the match clashed with World Cup soccer.

UNI XC AD VC0733