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Glory is assured of finishing in top spot heading into the final round of the Westfield W-League before next weekend’s semi-finals but third-placed Canberra is still fighting to keep their season alive beyond Sunday’s game at Viking Park.
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A draw between Newcastle and Sydney would also spell danger for Canberra so Liesbeth Migchelsen’s side is certain to treat Sunday’s game as a virtual elimination final.
May expected the league-leading Glory to adopt the same “finals-like” mentality.
“Going into the finals we want to be confident and still scoring goals so I think this weekend’s game is just as important for us as it is for Canberra,” May said.
“We’ve got to keep going with our game plan and our ruthlessness so we give ourselves the best preparation for the semi-final.
“We’ve never really backed off with a game so far this season so we’re definitely not taking this game lightly. Even players in the squad will be fighting for starting positions in the semi-final so it will be a really good game.”
Perth’s record in dead rubber matches this season does not bode well for Canberra, with Jamie Harnwell’s side coasting to 5-0 wins over both Western Sydney and Sydney FC since securing the W-League Premiership last month.
Glory’s win over the Sky Blues in Wollongong last weekend was particularly impressive, giving away nothing against the team some pundits believe have the best chance of denying Perth a maiden W-League Championship.
“Obviously they were trying to secure their spot in the top four but I think as a team we went out there really confident, we shut them down in the midfield and we pressed them really high,” May said.
“We just didn’t want them to control the game and I think their turnovers and our confidence at the back really helped us control the game for the whole 90 minutes.”
May is one of the few members of Glory’s inaugural squad still playing at the club and is relishing the chance to win a championship after several seasons where the team has finished at the wrong end of the table.
The 23-year-old was crowned the club’s Most Glorious Player in just her second season and has proven to be one of the most versatile players in Harnwell’s squad.
Originally earmarked as a defensive midfielder early in her career, May spent most of last season in defence and after fighting her way back from an ankle injury suffered on the eve of the current campaign, she has thrived this season in an attacking midfield role.
“I’ve really enjoyed it, just learning a new position and playing with the likes of Caitlin Foord, Collette McCallum and Marianna Tabain in the midfield, you just learn so much off them,” May said.
“Last year because of a few injuries, I played on both the left and the right in defence and that was good as well because I learnt a new position.
“You learn a lot more about the game when you’re in a different position.”