The cultural and philosophical differences between the Caribbean territories would be on show tonight at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain as Trinidad and Tobago booked their 11th regional final berth against French-speaking Haiti, in the 2007 Digicel Caribbean Cup final.
Trinidad and Tobago won the tournament eight times already-five occasions, at home-while Haiti were losing finalists once when they went under 2-0 to T&T in the 2001 edition.
The two outfits were drastically overhauled since. Haiti have done more extensive work at youth level while the "Soca Warriors" are in a period of transition after a debut showing at the 2006 World Cup Finals.
Trinidad and Tobago and Haiti got to today's final on the back of similar 3-1 scores against Cuba and Guadeloupe, respectively, but that is where the similarity ends.
On Saturday night, the hosts stormed past Cuba in typically exciting fashion but the thrill of victory was magnified by the often uncertain command of the team in red, white and black.
Cuba arguably stroked the ball around the field with more authority for the opening half hour as they exposed Trinidad and Tobago's shortcomings in winning and maintaining possession during the formative stages of a match.
But if the Cubans were too ponderous, the Warriors were in no doubt as to their own strengths.
In terms of attacking passes, there is not a better midfield in the tournament. Playmaker Kerwin "Hardest" Jemmott and captain Densill Theobald stood out for their clever offerings, in particular, to speedy striker Gary Glasgow, while the delivery from flankers Kerry Baptiste and Leslie "Tiger" Fitzpatrick is at least as good as anything served up by first team regulars Carlos Edwards and Collin Samuel.
Baptiste and Fitzpatrick might not possess the tricks or defensive acumen of Trinidad and Tobago's World Cup wingers, while neither is as good at keeping the ball. But some of the crosses by the stand-in duo were top draw.
After a fortuitous first half opener, Glasgow doubled T&T's lead in the 57th minute with a clinical header from a Baptiste right side cross, which matched Fitzpatrick's assist in the last group match from the opposite flank.
It is the ability of coach Wim Rijsbergen's men to fashion a goal from nothing that has ensured Trinidad and Tobago's progress despite the patchy passing from their full backs and defensive frailty in the centre of midfield.
Glasgow, the lone survivor from T&T's 2001 triumph against Haiti, is enjoying an unprecedented hot streak. Before January, the 30-year-old managed seven goals from nine years of international service at an average of one goal every six and a half games while, in the 2001 tournament, he failed to score from one start and three substitute appearances.
In the present competition, the Joe Public striker leads all scorers with six goals from four outings.
But the brooding Haitians will not be picked off quite as easily.
If Trinidad and Tobago's play is epitomised by a slipped Jemmott pass for a streaking Glasgow, it is the more muscular, defiant approach that sets Haiti apart. On their roster, it is a former public employee that holds centre stage in the form of defensive man-mountain and captain, Pierre Richard Bruny.
Bruny's game is a mixture of intelligent reading of his opponents and fierce tackling. His hounding of opposing attackers and militant rule of the Haitian backline sets the tone for the North Caribbean visitors.
Trinidad and Tobago outdid Cuba with sudden offensive bursts. But Haiti bullied Guadeloupe into submission with dogged defence and rapid ball movement and it is no coincidence that six of their seven goals came in the second half-three in the last 15 minutes.
The two nations met already in the group stage when the hosts won 3-1, although it may be a false barometer for today's fixture as Haiti started a weakened team without, for one, their influential captain.
If either team remain true to their philosophy, expect Haiti to press Trinidad and Tobago high up the field in an effort to force, in particular, right back Seon Power into errors or test the composure and technique of the host's midfield. Bruny's men will hope to successfuly smother the Warriors and create chances from their opponents' mistakes.
Rijsbergen should not mind too much. He knows that a pressing Haiti would leave space for Glasgow to exploit once he receives the right service.
It should make an interesting contest.
A scowling Bruny versus the swaggering Glasgow. It will be the final tale of the 2007 competition.