Two goals in each half and a resolute defense yesterday ensured Negros Oriental F.A.'s first finals appearance in the PFF-National Women's Open Championships at the slippery Silliman University pitch in Dumaguete City.

Getting goals from four different players, the hosts shut out Cebu, 4-0, to claim the first championship slot.

Negros Oriental collides with National Capital Region, which dethroned defending champion Davao with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory, after normal and extra time ended at 1-all. Strikers Rodelyn Calbog and Ruthel Tolentino, defender Jissey Estosota and Jessica Moldez found the back of the net on a day when poor field condition hampered the attacking form of both teams.

But the hosts, buoyed by the overwhelming crowd support, put up a dominating defensive display to deny Cebu, which was coming off a morale-boosting 32-0 win over neophyte Sultan Kudarat. It was actually the second straight win of NegOr booters over the Cebuanas, who bowed, 2-1, in the elimination round.

"I have to give credit to my defense. They followed the plan to clear the ball as soon as possible because of the slippery pitch," NORFA coach Gabriel Bahoyan said.

"This is a big victory for Negros Oriental football. The crowd support was a big factor for us," NORFA president Tupang Merced said.

After effectively clearing her line, Estosota rushed from the half-line and settled a through ball from Nicole Arevalo, before rifling a well-placed shot inside the penalty for the opening goal in the 17th minute. Another goal off a counter-attack in the 32nd minute assured NORFA of a 2-0 lead at halftime.

This time it was Calbog receiving a long pass from Tolentino then eluding two defenders for a cool right-footed strike from point-blank range.

Negros Oriental was rewarded for their sustained pressure in the 71 st minute when Tolentino sliced into the area to finish off a 1-2 passing play from inside 8 yards. Moldez, the fleet-footed midfielder, completed the rout nine minute from time as she cut behind the defense to create space before pouncing on another long pass from Arevalo.

"Our job is not finished yet. We have to be more aggressive in the finals and I think my team will be up to that task," added Bahoyan, who wants to put behind a disappointing fourth place finish in the National Under-17 Championships in the summer with a victory here. *CPT

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