... Because the boot rom in the PS2 checks the original, which is pressed not burned. So far as I know, the PS2 does two things (this stuff is not widely published so it is what I have gleaned):

1/
It looks at the CD surface with the laser "off phase" to determine its status as a genuine CD or DVD or PSX game

2/
It reads info pressed onto the CD/DVD as to region/locale which has to match what is in the ROM

So you have to boot with a CD/DVD made by a Sony approved pressing process. A pressed CD/DVD creates ridges and troughs that bounce light back from the laser to represent a "1"; a ridge doesn't bounce light back so it's a "zero". A burned CD/DVD uses a laser to melt troughs and ridges into a compound. Thereafter the laser reads it in the same way. A burner doesn't burn to 100% of the surface; a presser can so press and a proprietary reader can read anywhere on the surface.

So, coupling the above with the explanation in my last post, now do you accept what I've said? Fool the PS2 first into thinking it has booted a legit game, stop the process before it has details of the game and insert a game backup that can move forward to play.

When you have made a copy of the first FF9 disk, try this - it works with most modchips in the case of PSX imports, it certainly did with my original modchip.com chip (except that the eject was automatic):

a) Insert any PAL PSX original (you can buy one of these dead cheap I'm sure!)
b) Properly power off the PS2 for a few seconds
c) Turn the PS2 on (rear switch)
d) Press eject just before the PSX LOGO SCREEN display (you'll get this second time round!)
e) Swap out the PAL PSX original with your PSX (FF9) import backup
f) Press eject to close the tray and the game should load

Your NEO2.2 instructions may have further advice (or indeed the identical advice).