High on confidence and hungry for goals, van Dijk is holding out hope of a last-minute shot at the Golden Boot in the final A-League round this weekend.

While more goals are on the striker’s mind, a win against Perth at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday would also give Roar a chance of a top-two finish, which would allow the club a chance of hosting the Grand Final.

A hat-trick against Sydney FC saw the Dutchman rocket up the scoring charts to 10 goals, just two behind Wellington’s Shane Smeltz and one adrift of Melbourne’s Danny Allsopp and Central Coast’s Matt Simon.

But while his rivals are embroiled in do-or-die finals clashes this weekend, van Dijk will face the leakiest defence in the league with the visit of Glory.

Perth have conceded 40 goals this season, including four from Roar in the last encounter which saw van Dijk score one and set up two.

He said: “I haven’t given up hope for it (the Golden Boot) but it’s going to be tough.

“I always like to play against Perth, especially now I’m scoring a lot of goals I’m a bit more confident.

“But there are a lot of opportunities for the team. We can win the Premiership or finish second but the most important thing is that we win the match.

“If I can score two goals or even another hat-trick then it’s ok, but it’s not my goal for next Saturday.”

Van Dijk could not have timed Roar’s first ever hat-trick any better, guaranteeing Roar finals football while simultaneously ending Sydney’s season for the second season running.

“For the fans, it was great because the game was against Sydney – the State of Origin of football – and in this stage of the league, it’s important to get a win because you make a good step into the finals," he said.

The final third of the season has seen a massive turnaround for the powerful target-man, who probably couldn’t dream of finishing top-scorer after a slow start in front of goal as he adapted to the league.

But the ever-confident import said the change in fortune was no surprise.

“It’s not that I learnt how to score in the last six weeks,” he said. “It’s just a feeling and now I have that feeling.

“Even the top strikers who play in the highest leagues have those phases, so it’s not like it’s not normal but I’m happy that I’m back now.”

Van Dijk also said the team’s recent form was a major factor in making him the highest regular-season scorer in Queensland Roar history.

“Without good set-up play I can’t score,” he said. “I’m only the last phase of the whole attack.

“Everyone on the whole pitch has influence on one goal and I’m only the last station who can finish it so all credits to them.

“The last weeks we’ve been playing some good football on the wings and that suits me."