Dundee United keeper Eiji Kawashima admits he is determined to help his side avoid the drop and if he can, he will give his international chances a big boost.
The goalie was called up for Japan’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan and Syria but did not feature in either game.
National coach Vahid Halilhodzic insists the 33-year-old has a lot of catching up to do after being without a club for a year between leaving Standard Liege and finally turning out for the Tangerines in the January 2 derby.
Kawashima is determined to be No.1 once again for his country who he has represented at two World Cups already although his primary focus is on helping United stave off relegation against all the odds.
Mixu Paatelainen’s side missed an opportunity to close the gap on Kilmarnock to just two points when they lost to Partick Thistle on Tuesday night.
However, Kawashima is still taking heart from his experience with another Belgium side, Lierse, when they pulled off a “miracle” to stay up as United prepare for another must-win game against Inverness at Tannadice this afternoon.
He said: “Of course after the Partick game it was difficult to take. But we have another game to focus on so it was important we move on quickly.
“The first-half against Partick Thistle had a lot of positives for us to take. We created a lot of chances but the only thing is we didn’t take them and suffered for that in the second-half.
“The important thing is to stay positive but focus on fixing some things for the next game.
“It’s similar because in Belgium the league set-up is the same in that second bottom of the top league goes into a play-off to survive.
“At Lierse, we went from bottom of the table to second last but then on the last day of the season we managed to climb one more spot to avoid the play-off.
“I can use that experience for this situation with Dundee United to help me handle it better. It gives hope.
“For example, after the last game against Partick Thistle we were so disappointed but we have to believe in ourselves and not let it beat us up and lose confidence.
“We had setbacks with Lierse at times too and when that happens it’s difficult to keep the faith but you have to stand up and fight for every game.”
Kawashima added: “It was a really hopeless situation for us at the time because we were many points behind and we didn’t see much chance for us. But, like here, we’d see the situation get better and better after January and we started to believe there is always a possibility to make it happen.
“It’s the same here. We need to be really strong in our heads and believe until the very end. We have just six games to go and in each one we have to give 100% because sometimes even one point can make all the difference, as it did with Lierse.
“We played Bruges in the last game, got a draw and one point changed everything for us. It was a miracle.
“Looking back on that experience can help and staying up this time with Dundee United could have another big impact on my career, especially with the national team.
“I am not just here to play, I am here to keep this club in the top league and if I can do that it will help my position in the national team also.”
Kawashima revealed that his agent has held talks with United about extending his stay at the club.
He added: “I have settled well in Scotland. At first it wasn’t easy because I came in for one training session after signing and then went straight into the derby game.
“But after a few games I got a feel for Scottish football, I’m getting used to it and feel part of the team.
“We are talking about staying longer but for now I focus on what I do on the pitch and leave the other stuff to my agent.
“I am happy here.”