Described like a game of FIFA by Cahill, last week’s 5-4 loss to Glory in Round 27 “was a mess” but he said City’s style would not shift to a defensive mentality at home.

The 37-year-old is incredibly optimistic of jumping the final three hurdles and potentially qualifying for the AFC Asian Champions League (ACL) and takes confidence after City have won the FFA Cup this season.

“I’ve been written off my whole life,” Cahill said on Wednesday. “I wasn’t supposed to play in the last World Cup, the Asian Cup and I wasn’t supposed to do well in the A-League either because I’m too old.

“I like it like this, because in all the big games this year, I’ve showed up and all the big games, when it’s counted to win that trophy and that’s pretty much what’s happened throughout my career.

“It’s the same thing is these boys, we know what’s on the line and they’ll follow because all the intent from them is for the good of the club, regardless of whether you concede five goals away from home.

“They’re all good footballers, professionals and they’re trying to do the right thing for their club and I can’t ask any more than that. We’re just trying to deliver the expectations and it’s good to be the underdog for once in the finals not expect to win this weekend or even the Grand Final.”

However, Cahill feels the season has flown by after 27 weeks but is excited to play finals football.

Timmy C very confident with City's playing style

“Do you actually think they’re actually going play like that again? Having to win away from home, it would be very interesting,” he said.

“I learnt the same thing about the MLS, for me it’s just learning and it’s having the mentality to go out there and just be ruthless and this week we’ve got no choice but to be ruthless, in that game against Perth they had to go all out.

“We’re at home at AAMI Park, I think a lot of clubs when they come to us in a season only need to get a draw or try and nick a win so it’ll be very interesting to see the way Perth play because the game will be played over 90 minutes.

“Plus, if you come with that mentality that you’re going to hit them on the attack or come all out, press, there’s a lot on the line and for a club like Perth it would be a massive scalp to beat us but also for a club like us we’re still very confident in our ability and we believe in our group in our style and what we need to do to win.”