While incredibly difficult, nothing is impossible.
That will be City's mantra as it seeks to claim the last A-League finals spot on offer.
Brisbane Roar is currently sixth, boasting a one-point buffer over City plus an additional two games in hand.
Having suffered losses to Central Coast Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers in the past week, coach Van't Schip knows City can't afford another defeat when it hosts Newcastle on Saturday.
"It's made it very difficult for us," Van't Schip said on Friday.
"The Roar have the advantage now ... so if they don't make any mistakes it's easy, they're in.
"We've got a tough game away (Sydney FC) then Brisbane at home, but if we don't win tomorrow then it's almost impossible."
Van't Schip suggested belief would be key if his inconsistent charges are to turn things around and start banking some points.
"We just have to make sure we keep believing that we can get in the finals," he said.
"You're still in the finals until it's mathematically not possible. Until that time, you have to believe."
Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy, who was rested from the side's last-start loss to the Wanderers, will return on the weekend.
Van't Schip hinted there may be a few other changes due to the short turnaround after Wednesday's defeat in Parramatta.
"We'll see where we can maybe freshen up on a few positions," he said.
"That's something we'll decide on after seeing how the players feel tomorrow."
Young gun Connor Chapman will be one enforced omission, with the defender to miss the clash with his old club due to suspension.
Chapman will front the league's disciplinary committee next week after being sent off for touching referee Strebre Delovski in the loss to Western Sydney.
"We had a chat ... he's still learning a lot and I think this is something he will learn a lot from," Van't Schip said.
"Hopefully everybody has a good look at it and sees that there's not that much going on (and Chapman avoids further suspension).
"If not he has to cop it and we have to cop it. Hopefully he learns from it and it doesn't happen again."
