The permutations in the next few days will add to the anxiety levels, depending on several variables.
Whatever happens in the final round 14 matches this week, Auckland City are assured of an O-League berth.
Not so the Bay whose milestone sequel from last season depends on how the playoffs will unfold.
"Auckland City have to win it or we have to make it to the grand final," Hastings said.
Needless to say they simply want to cut to the chase and take matters into their own hands to avoid a lottery situation.
"It's not an ideal situation to rely on Auckland City if we're not in it," Hastings said. "We want to make the grand final and claim the second berth by winning it."
Bay United only have peace of mind when it comes to securing a semifinal berth with City in the national summer league, as well as the second placing.
If 2015-16 O-League campaigners Team Wellington beat Wellington Phoenix Reserves in the 4.15pm kick off today they won't be able to leapfrog Bay United because goal difference won't be a factor.
"We may know as early as 6.15pm tomorrow who we're hosting in the televised semifinal in what should be a great spectacle so we want to have as many people down at Bluewater Stadium as possible," said Hastings, of the 4.35pm kick off on Sunday, March 6.
"We want the biggest crowd of not just the season but the entire league."
Today's game is also televised live on Sky Sport 3 as a curtain-raiser match to the Wellington Phoenix versus Melbourne City A-League clash at the Cake Tin from 7.30pm.
"If Team Wellington draw or lose then we'll wait for the result of the Canterbury United-Southern United game on Sunday to find out who we'll be hosting," he said.
Team Wellington coach Matt Calcott, who last Sunday said they simply had to go all the way to win the grand final to retain their maiden O-League status, will be mindful his troops are sitting three points adrift of the Bay United in third place.
A win for the boys from the capital today would put them level with Bay on points but Angell's men will retain their runners-up perch due to the head-to-head ruling taking precedence over the goal-difference scenario on the table.
The Bay emphatically beat Team Wellington 2-0 at David Farrington Park last Sunday after a 2-all stalemate in Napier late last year.
"We don't just want to rely on other results. We want to take control all the way to the grand final and collect some silverware, too," said Hastings, adding playing Waitakere United was no different because they wanted to take three points as well as the much-needed confidence into the playoffs.
Angell echoed similar sentiments amid satisfaction of achieving incremental goals along the way from the time the season kicked off.
"It's everything we have been working towards since day one by setting some goals around making the playoffs and now the position makes things a little bit more different longer term.
"But, consequently, unless we are actually in the grand final there is still a lot that actually needs to be done between now and then to make sure that that second spot makes that difference longer term," he said, highlighting their home-and-away record of five on the road and four here should they prosper this Sunday.
Angell thought it was more relevant to bringing fans through the turnstiles to boost their support base than the team's performance on the park.
"It's great to give back to the fans and achieve the home semi-final for them."
Hastings said their historic second-place premiership finish was a testament to Angell's commitment to turn the region into a national and, everything going to plan, international force.
Angell has to decide whether to risk players Zane Sole, Birhanu Taye and Martin Ramos Canales this Sunday or rest them, considering they have collected three yellow cards and another one would put them out of the semifinal.
Vice-captain Corey Chettleburgh will serve the mandatory match suspension this round for amassing his fourth yellow card last Sunday.
"That's something for Brett to decide, of course," Hastings said.
